West Palm Beach DUI Manslaughter Attorney David W. Olson
DUI Manslaughter is an extremely serious offense because it involves loss of life. A DUI Manslaughter charge occurs when law enforcement accuses a motor vehicle operator of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, resulting in a fatality. A conviction for DUI Manslaughter can potentially result in a mandatory minimum four-year prison sentence. If you were charged with DUI Manslaughter, it is essential to hire a highly qualified, effective and experienced criminal defense attorney. West Palm Beach Attorney David W. Olson has more than 33 years of experience and a successful track record representing thousands of clients charged with serious felonies and misdemeanors, including DUI, murder, assault, and a wide variety of crimes.
Early Representation is Important to Your Case
Early intervention will allow Attorney Olson to properly handle your case and start formulating your defense. He will always pursue the most favorable outcome for you, potentially pursuing a dismissal, reduction of charges or a not guilty verdict if the case goes to trial. Attorney Olson offers a free case consultation.
Florida’s DUI Manslaughter Laws
Section 316.193, Florida Statutes, proscribes the penalties for Driving Under the Influence, including DUI Manslaughter. Relevant sections, edited for brevity, include, but are not limited, to the following:
- (1) A person is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and is subject to punishment … if the person is driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state and:
- (a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance … or any substance controlled under chapter 893, when affected to the extent that the person’s normal facilities are impaired;
- (b),(c) The person has a blood (or) breath-alcohol level of 0.08 …
- Anyone who causes or contributes to causing:
- (3)(c)3. The death of any human being or unborn child commits DUI manslaughter…
Potential Charges
Under the statute, the accused may be charged with:
- Felony of the first degree, or
- Felony of the second degree, if
- At the time of the crash the person knew or should have known that the crash occurred; and
- The person failed to give information and render aid as required by s. 316.062 …
Potential Penalties
- A second degree felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
- If the individual leaves the scene of the accident or fails to render aid, the offense can be increased to a first degree felony, resulting in up to 30 years in prison.
- For every death that occurs, the accused may be charged with an additional offense, increasing the fines and the potential term of imprisonment.
Aggressive Defense for DUI Manslaughter Charges
As with all felony and misdemeanor charges, an arrest is not a conviction. While this may seem obvious, it is mentioned because many defendants have never been accused of any offense before – and certainly not one of this seriousness. Every defendant who is accused of a crime has the right to vigorously defend against the charges.
- The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver was impaired and that his or her impairment caused the accident and resulting death.
- Most importantly, the legal burden is on the prosecution to prove the defendant’s guilt – not on the accused to prove their innocence.
Attorney David W. Olson, West Palm Beach and South Florida DUI Manslaughter Defense
It is Attorney Olson’s responsibility – and privilege – to zealously defend you and to ensure that you legal rights are fully protected. Attorney Olson has been practicing law since 1982, and has 33 years of experience representing clients charged with serious offenses. He truly understands that your future and freedom might very well be on the line and that your case is of paramount importance to you.
Attorney Olson has attained professional success through hard work, meticulous attention to detail and most importantly, devotion and commitment to his clients. Amongst his awards and honors:
- “10 Best” Award for Client Satisfaction – American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel Top 1% – its highest honor.
- Chosen as a Member of Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers.
- AV Preeminent Peer Rating – 5.0 out of a possible 5.0 – for Professional Ability and High Legal Standards.
Attorney Olson serves clients throughout West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Broward County, Miami Dade County, throughout South Florida and elsewhere throughout the state. For a free, confidential, no-obligation case review, contact The Law Offices of David W. Olson at 561-833-8866.
Source
Sec. 316.193, Florida Statutes (2014)
Chapter 316, Florida Statutes (2014)
