Vehicular Assault and Homicide
Have you found yourself in the horrible position of facing vehicular assault or homicide charges? Don't panic; lawyer up.
One second, you are driving down the road and going about life as normal. But the next, a brief oversight or error instantly leads to a serious accident in which another person is severely injured or killed. Now, you are facing vehicular assault or homicide charges and feeling extremely overwhelmed, frightened, and upset about where to go from here.
Charges of vehicular assault or homicide can seriously upend your life, with or without a conviction. Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele knows that anyone can find themselves in this position due to a simple mistake or lapse in judgment. Instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, now is the time to explore your options and start building your case.
Consult Steele Law, P.C., today for more information about your legal options in this situation.
Understanding Colorado Vehicular Assault/Homicide Charges
Motor vehicles are dangerous machines, and operating them incorrectly can easily lead to serious injuries and even death. If you are found to be at fault in an accident involving serious harm, you may face criminal charges, even if the accident was completely unintentional.
Colorado recognizes several vehicular assault and homicide charges. Generally, these charges would arise in accidents involving drug or alcohol use or reckless driving.
-
- Vehicular assault or homicide by reckless driving: When a person operates a motor vehicle with wanton or willful disregard for the safety of others, and they are at fault in an accident that causes serious physical harm or death, they can face vehicular assault or homicide charges.
- Vehicular assault or homicide with DUI or DWAI: When a person is at fault in an accident in which they were impaired by drugs or alcohol, and the accident leads to serious injury or death, they can be charged with a higher felony class.
In Colorado, "vehicular manslaughter" refers to vehicular homicide as defined above. Colorado also recognizes "aggravated vehicular homicide" in certain cases involving DUI plus prior DUI or license revocation.
If you were at fault in an accident resulting in serious injury or death but were not under the influence of drugs/alcohol and were not driving recklessly, you may instead face charges of careless driving causing bodily injury or death, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado.
Potential Penalties for Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault Cases
Vehicular homicide and assault are both felonies, regardless of whether they arise from driving in a reckless manner or driving under the influence.
-
- Vehicular assault by reckless driving is a Class 5 felony.
- Vehicular homicide by reckless driving is a Class 4 felony.
- Vehicular assault with DUI or DWAI is a Class 4 felony.
- Vehicular homicide with a DUI or DWAI is a Class 3 felony.
Potential penalties for a conviction vary depending on the class of felony. You could face prison time and hefty fines. For example, vehicular assault caused by reckless driving can carry penalties of between six months and six years of prison time and between $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
You will likely also face consequences related to your driving privileges. Our firm can represent you in DMV hearings to determine whether to revoke your license.
Being a convicted felon has consequences other than the penalties in your case. You may lose your right to own a gun or hold public office. Your housing and employment opportunities may also be limited.
You likely never meant to hurt anyone, but a conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. Begin building your defense as soon as possible with the help of Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele.
How Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele Can Help You in the Face of Vehicular Assault or Vehicular Homicide Charges
This is likely an overwhelming, terrifying ordeal. You need an experienced attorney to instill peace of mind in your legal process and help you feel confident that you are doing everything you can to protect your way of life.
Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele has been defending clients against vehicular assault and homicide charges for more than 25 years. Our firm defends clients from a perspective of knowing that they are not criminals but that they are simply people who are facing criminal charges. We understand that vehicular accidents can happen to anyone.
Allow us to help you explore your options, starting with determining your plea. A guilty plea may enable us to negotiate a plea deal for lesser penalties if the evidence is stacked against you. We have also defended countless clients through criminal trials.
Our defense may include any of these actions:
-
- Seeking to reduce charges to careless driving causing bodily injury or death by refuting accusations of reckless driving or DUI/DWAI evidence
- Questioning the validity of BAC tests
- Gathering evidence to support other drivers' contributions to the accident
We will thoroughly examine the incident from all angles to help us build a compelling and comprehensive defense against the prosecution's evidence.
Seek Legal Support in Englewood, CO
It's easy for thoughts to spiral regarding what could happen next after receiving vehicular assault or homicide charges. But for now, your main focus should be strategizing with the help of a criminal defense attorney.
Consult Our Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Do you need legal representation in any of these criminal law practice areas or require legal guidance outside of these categories?
Request a consultation with Steele Law, P.C., today at 303-907-1504 to learn how we can assist you.
Our Practice Areas
Domestic Violence
Restraining Orders
Assault and Menacing
Sex Offenses
Theft and Burglary
Drug Possession and Distribution
Probation Revocations
DUI/DWAI/DUID
Traffic and DMV Hearings
Vehicular Assault/Homicide
Sealing Criminal Records
Gun Charges
Hear From Past Clients
I value building long-term relationships with my clients, and your future success is extremely important to me.
The Steele Law Difference
You may picture criminal defense attorneys as confrontational and abrupt. I take a different approach—my focus is on helping you gain peace of mind, knowing your case is in experienced, dedicated hands.
Compassionate Yet Aggressive
I understand the scope of emotions you may be feeling. I approach your case aggressively because I care about your outcomes and your future.
Personalized Attention
Steele Law is a boutique law firm where you receive personalized, individual attention. I only take on select cases to ensure full dedication.
Thorough Preparation
Criminal cases are never straightforward. I prepare for all possible outcomes so we are never caught off guard throughout your legal process.
Privacy & Discretion
I handle all cases with the utmost privacy. I understand how charges can affect your reputation and do everything to protect it.
Transparent Communication
Staying informed helps you feel in control. You can reach me any time via phone, text, or email with questions.
Proven Experience & Results
With years of experience as a former prosecutor and defender, I have a track record of successful outcomes. I leverage this expertise to fight for the best possible resolution in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was just charged with a crime; what do I do?
If you were arrested and charged with a crime in Colorado, your very next step should be contacting a lawyer. Experienced legal representation can help you understand your charges and legal obligations to avoid harming your case. They can explain your rights and legal options under Colorado law and represent you in all court appearances. Avoid speaking with anyone else about your case, and contact me as soon as possible.
Are criminal charges public record?
Yes, past arrests and criminal charges are generally accessible to the public in Colorado, except in a few rare cases. This can be highly discouraging if you know you are not guilty of the crime you have been charged with. I can help you explore your options for keeping the case as private and discreet as possible and potentially expunging charges that do not lead to convictions. I also represent clients through the criminal record sealing process.
Do you represent lesbian domestic violence cases?
Yes, I have extensive experience providing legal defense for domestic violence cases involving lesbian couples. I understand the unique considerations of these cases compared to domestic violence in heterosexual relationships. If you are a woman facing accusations of violence against a female partner, now is the time to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney about your legal rights.
What if I have been accused of a crime I didn't commit?
Whether you have already been charged with a crime or law enforcement is investigating you for a potential crime, now is the time to "lawyer up." The prosecution would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the charges against you for you to be convicted. Even if you know you did not commit the crime, the prosecution doesn't agree, and you need aggressive legal representation to convince the judge or jury of your innocence.
Do you handle all types of sexual offenses?
Yes, I represent clients facing any type of sex charges under Colorado law, including charges involving children. I am one of the few attorneys in the area who handle cases involving accusations of child exploitation, distribution of child pornography, communicating with an underage person on the internet, solicitation, and related charges. I understand how such accusations can harm your reputation even without a conviction.
Representation Across the Denver Metropolitan Area
My legal practice is based in Englewood, CO, but I travel to clients across the greater Denver Metropolitan Area.
If you are located outside of these areas, feel free to reach out to discuss how I can assist you.
Contact Us
To make sure we’re a good fit, I offer a free consultation on the phone or in person. Contact me in whatever format works best for you – call, text, email, or fill out the form below ↓
Request a Call Back or In-Person
To get more information and set up a free consultation, fill out the form below.
Address
333 W. HAMPDEN AVE, SUITE 710
ENGLEWOOD, CO 80110
In the meantime, review our 10 things to do once you’ve been arrested.