Las Vegas Criminal Defense Blog

Recently, there has been an increase in the amount of traffic-caused pedestrian fatalities in Las Vegas. One included a twelve year old trick-or-treater who was struck by an allegedly drunk driver, and another was a fifty-five year old woman who was crossing the street near the Strip. There have also been similar recent incidents in Henderson and North Las Vegas. The drivers in such cases are typically charged with felony DUI, reckless driving causing death, or vehicular manslaughter.

Nevada vehicular manslaughter law applies when a driver proximately causes the death of another through an act or omission that constitutes simple negligence. Simple negligence is the failure to act like a reasonable driver would act in the same situation. Common examples may include failure to yield, slight speeding, or failing to put on headlights at night.

Defenses to charges of violating Nevada vehicular manslaughter law include that the death was not the proximate cause of the driver's actions or that the victim was more to blame than the driver. This crime is a misdemeanor carrying up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. Penalties may be doubled if the incident occurred in a work zone.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/pedestrian-deaths-rise-in-alcohol-related-accidents-trouble-police-133123168.html?ref=168

To learn more about Nevada vehicular manslaughter law, watch our informational video:

Two Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers are facing charges stemming from a fatal car crash chase back in May. They reportedly ignored their sergeant's orders to cease their pursuit of the victim's car. One officer is charged with felony reckless driving and violating Nevada vehicular manslaughter law, and the other is charged with misdemeanor reckless driving.

Nevada vehicular manslaughter law applies when a driver proximately causes the death of another person through simple negligence. Simple negligence is a failure to act in a manner that a reasonable person would in the identical situation. Examples include not yielding at a stop sign, slight speeding, or texting while driving.

A conviction for violating Nevada vehicular manslaughter law is punished as a misdemeanor, carrying up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. It's different from "vehicular homicide," which are DUI-related fatal car accidents when the driver has three previous DUI convictions. It's also different from Reckless Driving with Death, which is when the death allegedly results from the driver's recklessness (as opposed to negligence).

For more info, go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/two-metro-officers-charged-in-traffic-death-101998148.html

Last month in Las Vegas, a teenager pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking DUI causing injury or death laws in Nevada. She was allegedly driving intoxicated in Henderson back in February when she ploughed into another car, killing the two people inside. Police say her BAC was .26.

DUI causing injury or death laws in Nevada are meant to punish drunk drivers whose intoxication cause a serious car accident resulting in substantial bodily harm or a fatality. Someone can still be arrested for this offense if their BAC is below 0.08 as long as they’re suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. In order for someone to be convicted of it, the prosecutor has to prove that the drunk driving was the proximate cause of the harm or death.

The penalties for violating DUI causing injury or death laws in Nevada can be very harsh. The prison time ranges from two to twenty years, and the fine is $2,000 to $5,000. The driver also faces license suspension.

For more on this story, go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/woman-pleads-guilty-to-dui-resulting-in-death-90013617.html

Last year in Reno, a teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of breaking the Nevada crime of vehicular manslaughter when his pickup allegedly collided with another pickup during a chase, killing two people in the bed of his truck. All five people in the pickup were ejected when it hit a median not far from the Reno-Tahoe Airport. The driver was also booked for alleged reckless driving, driving without a valid license, and running a red light.

The Nevada crime of vehicular manslaughter is the least serious offense that someone may be convicted of for allegedly causing a fatal car crash. It penalizes driving with “simple negligence,” such as running a red light or driving without headlights. It’s a completely different law from “vehicular homicide,” which is meant to punish drivers who’ve previously been convicted three times of DUI and then cause a fatal DUI accident.

The Nevada crime of vehicular manslaughter is only a misdemeanor. Penalties include up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. Their driver’s license will probably also be suspended for one year.

For more on this story: http://www.lvrj.com/news/37788024.html