Have you been arrested on a manslaughter charge in Warren County or the Greater Cincinnati area? If so, you are probably feeling quite concerned about the possibility of being sent to prison and separated from your family right now.
Fortunately, this nightmare scenario may not have to become your new reality. With the help of an experienced Cincinnati manslaughter lawyer, like those here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers it might be possible to prevent the state of Ohio from convicting and punishing you. Contact us at (513) 333-0014 today.
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How Our Experienced Manslaughter Attorneys Can Help You Fight Back
Here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our Cincinnati criminal lawyer is dedicated to providing the people of Cincinnati with high-quality legal services. So, when you hire us to defend you against your manslaughter charge, we will:
Help You Devise an Effective Defense Strategy
As soon as you are arrested, the police and prosecution will immediately begin searching for and compiling evidence that they believe they can use to convict you of manslaughter. If you wish to fight back against their ever-growing mountain of evidence, you will need an effective defense strategy.
The team of attorneys here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, has been devising effective strategies for everything from DUI defense to manslaughter defense for many years. As such, we understand what it takes to put together a plan that will help our clients get their charge reduced or dropped. When you hire us, we will work tirelessly to put together a customized and well-thought-out defense strategy for you.
Negotiate with the Prosecuting Attorney on Your Behalf
In the early stages of your manslaughter case, the prosecution may offer you a plea bargain agreement. Unfortunately, the terms of their initial deal are likely to leave a lot to be desired. Should you wish to convince them to improve their offer, a period of negotiation will almost certainly be required.
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, we have years of experience dealing with prosecutors in the Greater Cincinnati area. This experience has allowed us to gain an in-depth knowledge of the best tactics and techniques to use to convince them to offer more lenient plea bargain terms. When you hire us, you can feel confident that you will be well-represented at the negotiating table.
Represent You in Court
If your manslaughter case cannot be resolved through the plea bargaining process, it will most likely end up in court. There, a judge and jury will hear arguments from both sides before deciding whether or not you should be found guilty. Should they choose to convict you, they will also determine how severe your punishment ought to be.
The legal team here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, has argued countless cases in courtrooms throughout the state of Ohio. As such, we understand how to create and deliver a narrative that is likely to resonate with the jury. When we represent you, we will work diligently to ensure that you receive a fair and just trial.
Are you facing criminal charges related to the wrongful death of another person in the Greater Cincinnati area? Then please reach out to the defense lawyers here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, as soon as possible. We may be able to help you get your charge dropped or reduced.
Understanding the Difference Between Manslaughter and Murder
In movies and television shows, the terms “manslaughter” and “murder” are sometimes used interchangeably to describe the unlawful killing of a human being. In reality, however, these two crimes are not the same.
To commit murder, an individual must generally take the life of another person using malice aforethought. In other words, they must have intended to kill or cause harm to the other party.
Manslaughter, on the other hand, does not require the presence of malice aforethought. An individual can be charged and convicted of a manslaughter offense for killing another person, whether they meant to do so or not.
Having spent years defending clients against offenses such as domestic violence, felonious assault, and manslaughter, the attorneys here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, are well-versed in all areas of Ohio criminal law. So, if you need assistance with a legal issue in Warren County, please do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call.
An Overview of Ohio’s Manslaughter Laws
The state of Ohio has three main manslaughter-related offenses on its books. They are:
Voluntary Manslaughter
The crime of voluntary manslaughter is outlined in section 2903.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. This statute explains that it is unlawful to knowingly take the life of another person or their unborn child, “while under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage.”
The state of Ohio frequently charges suspects with this offense when they take the life of another person during an argument. If, for instance, a married couple gets into a heated fight, leading one party to attack and kill the other, a voluntary manslaughter charge will almost certainly be brought forward.
Voluntary manslaughter is one of the most serious crimes that an individual can commit in the state of Ohio. It is almost always classified as a felony of the first degree.
Involuntary Manslaughter
The crime of involuntary manslaughter is detailed in section 2903.04 of the Ohio Revised Code. This law states that it is illegal to take the life of another person or their unborn child while committing or attempting to commit a felony, misdemeanor, minor misdemeanor, or regulatory offense.
The seriousness of this offense depends almost entirely on the nature of the underlying crime. If the killing occurs while the offender is committing a felony, involuntary manslaughter is generally classified as a felony of the first degree.
However, if the underlying crime is a misdemeanor, minor misdemeanor, or regulatory offense, involuntary manslaughter is usually downgraded to a felony of the third degree.
Vehicular Manslaughter
The crimes of aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide, and vehicular manslaughter are all outlined in section 2903.06 of the Ohio Revised Code. This statute states that a driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter if they commit a misdemeanor traffic violation and cause the death of another person or their unborn child.
In Ohio, vehicular manslaughter is typically punishable as a misdemeanor of the second degree. However, if the offender had a suspended or canceled driver’s license at the time of the infraction, the state can upgrade this offense to a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Do you need a criminal defense lawyer in Cincinnati to help you fight back against your Ohio manslaughter charge? If so, please contact the Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, legal team today. We would love to meet with you at our conveniently located law offices to learn more about your case.
Criminal Penalties for Ohio Manslaughter Convictions
The criminal penalties for committing a manslaughter offense in Ohio are as follows:
Punishments for Involuntary Manslaughter Convictions
Involuntary manslaughter is typically classified as a felony of the first degree. The criminal penalties for offenses of this nature include:
- 3 to 11 years in prison
- A fine of up to $20,000
- A permanent criminal record
Punishments for Voluntary Manslaughter Convictions
The potential penalties for voluntary manslaughter offenses in which the underlying crime was a felony are the same as those for involuntary manslaughter:
- 3 to 11 years in prison
- A fine of up to $20,000
- A permanent criminal record
However, if the underlying crime was a misdemeanor or regulatory offense, and the crime is downgraded to a third-degree felony, the list of possible punishments becomes:
- 1 to 5 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
- A permanent criminal record
Punishments for Vehicular Manslaughter Convictions
The vast majority of vehicular manslaughter cases are classified as misdemeanors of the second degree, and are punishable as follows:
- Up to 90 days in jail
- A fine of up to $750
- A driver’s license suspension of 6 to 36 months
- A permanent criminal record
However, if the offender did not have a valid driver’s license when the incident occurred, and the offense is upgraded to a misdemeanor of the first degree, these penalties can increase to:
- Up to 180 days in jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
- A permanent criminal record
The attorneys here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, have been defending the people of Cincinnati against everything from DUI/OVI to manslaughter for many years. If you would like to have us stand up for you, simply pick up the phone, give us a call, and set up an in-person consultation with a member of our team.
Need the Assistance of a Cincinnati Manslaughter Lawyer? Contact Our Law Firm Today
If you need a criminal defense attorney that regularly represents clients who are facing manslaughter charges in Ohio, there is only one law firm you need to turn to – Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers. Our legal team has the skill and experience needed to handle your case, no matter how complex it may be. To set up a free consultation at our Cincinnati law offices, just give us a call or contact us online.