If you or a family member is facing criminal charges for injuring or killing another person in an automobile accident while you were allegedly intoxicated, now is not the time to debate whether to hire a lawyer. You need legal representation. The potential penalties associated with a conviction for committing assault by automobile, vehicle manslaughter, vehicular homicide, etc. are life-altering and can result in you serving a significant amount of time in prison.
Example of Individual Facing Multiple Criminal Charges After Fatal Car Accident While Intoxicated
A 22-year-old Mercer County resident is facing numerous criminal charges after allegedly causing a deadly automobile accident that resulted in the death of college student Michael Sot. News reports indicate that the 22-year-old defendant had a blood-alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit, according to NJ.com. The defendant is now charged with seven counts of assault by automobile, one count of vehicular manslaughter, one count of driving while under the influence and numerous other motor vehicle charges. Various news outlets have reported that the defendant was allegedly attempting to pass other vehicles when he crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed into a vehicle carrying six college students. The collision occurred on Pennington Road. Prosecutors are claiming that the defendant spent "hours" before the tragic collision consuming alcohol at Landmark Americana, a bar located on the campus of The College of New Jersey. She claims that the bar’s surveillance footage captures him heavily drinking for approximately three hours before getting behind the wheel. The prosecutor then introduced evidence showing that the defendant's blood alcohol content was a .239 (the state's legal limit is .08).
Penalties If Convicted of Assault by Automobile
According to N.J.S.A 2C:12-1(c), to be convicted of an assault by automobile, there needs to be evidence that you were operating your vehicle recklessly. This basically means you did not intend to cause harm, but your actions were beyond mere negligence and appeared to be wanton and without regard to the safety of others. If those conditions are met and you are convicted, then you are looking at a monetary fine of up to $1,000 and at least six months in prison. The potential penalties only escalate from there depending on the severity of the accident, the extent of harm, and whether this was your first offense.
Take Action Today by Contacting the Experienced DUI Defense Attorneys at the Davis Law Firm, LLC
If you or a family member was charged with a DUI, immediate action to secure representation is strongly recommended. Many prosecutors look to make an "example" of an intoxicated motorist who caused harm in an automobile accident. That is why you need to level the playing field by hiring the skilled DUI defense lawyers with the Davis Law Firm, LLC. Whether your DUI arrest occurred in Trenton, Hamilton, Lawrence, West Windsor, Princeton, Ewing, or anywhere else in Mercer County, NJ, we can help. Contact our office at 609-587-9100 or fill out the fully confidential online contact form. We have an office conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619. The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
