Your life changes the moment you’re accused of negligently ending someone else’s life. Our Philadelphia vehicular homicide defense lawyers understand that it’s a highly traumatic experience to consider that you may be responsible for another person’s death.
You feel that way because you’re a good person. That’s evident.
Shuttleworth Law P.C. understands that accidents happen, and good people can make mistakes. We’re not here to judge you in any manner; we simply want to fight for the best possible outcome for the given circumstances.
“Your future is too important for a cavalier approach. Shuttleworth Law P.C. is NOT afraid to go head-to-head with prosecutors, even if that means fighting your charges aggressively during a judge or jury trial.”
Brad V. Shuttleworth, Esq.
Founder & Philadelphia Vehicular Homicide Defense Lawyer, Shuttleworth Law P.C.
Talk to Shuttleworth Law P.C. at No Cost for Answers
You shouldn’t have to face the legal system alone since you will have to put up the legal fight of your life. The Philadelphia vehicular homicide defense attorneys at Shuttleworth Law P.C. have the resources and drive you want in this situation. Call us now for a No-Cost, No-Obligation Case Evaluation at 888-529-3486 or message us privately here. We can meet at your location or video chat if you cannot travel to our office.
What stood out most was their ability to anticipate challenges and address them before they became problems. They consistently went the extra mile to ensure the best possible outcome, and it was clear that they genuinely cared about the result.
I highly recommend this firm to anyone seeking legal representation. They don’t just handle cases—they advocate with integrity, expertise, and dedication.
The Reality: You Are Facing Severe Felony Charges
The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes refer to vehicular homicide as “Homicide by Vehicle.” Anyonewho negligently causes the death of another person while simultaneously violating a traffic law, except for a DUI, can face Homicide by Vehicle charges per 75 Pa.C.S. § 3732. (We’ll get to the DUI part shortly.)
Now, to understand your charges effectively, you also have to understand criminal classifications. In the case of vehicular homicide, you face a felony, which is reserved for the most serious criminal offenses.
This classification also recognizes different grades as follows:
- 3rd-degree felony (F3): Homicide by Vehicle
- 2nd-degree felony (F2): Homicide by Vehicle with a DUI
- 1st-degree felony (F1): Homicide by Vehicle with a DUI and past DUI convictions or felony traffic violations
Involuntary Manslaughter Is a Lesser Offense
You may be able to avoid felony charges in some circumstances. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2504, a prosecutor may charge you with a first-degree misdemeanor if you acted recklessly or grossly negligent and the victim was age 12 or above. In this case, you would have to negotiate with them to get the traffic violation or DUI dropped.
Shuttleworth Law P.C. Is Experienced in the Court Room
The Philadelphia vehicular homicide defense lawyers at Shuttleworth Law P.C. will consider your case from multiple angles and devise a case strategy based on the facts and evidence. If we can get you out of your charges, you can count on us to present our findings to the prosecutor, at hearings, or at your jury trial.
Call Us Now for a Free Case Evaluation
You should never have to pay for a crime you didn’t commit or that goes unproven by the justice system. The Philadelphia vehicular homicide defense lawyers at our firm will dependably stand by your side throughout the process. We highly recommend that you call Shuttleworth Law P.C. for a Free Case Strategy Session at 888-529-3486 to get answers about your charges at no cost or obligation.
Pennsylvania Doesn’t Go Easy on Vehicular Homicide Convictions
In Pennsylvania, vehicular homicide charges are serious offenses that carry significant penalties. It’s worth remembering that charges are not the same as convictions, and you still have an opportunity to beat them. You should work with Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers immediately when facing this type of charge.
Instead of beating around the bush, let’s take a candid look at the penalties you could face if the prosecutor proves their case against you beyond a reasonable doubt:
Homicide by Vehicle
Up to seven years imprisonment, fines of $15,000, and a three-year license suspension
Homicide by Vehicle with a DUI
Up to ten years imprisonment (a three-year mandatory minimum) and $25,000 in fines, both applicable to each death
Homicide by Vehicle with a DUI and Priors
Up to 20 years and $25,000 in fines. Minimum of five years imprisonment for one prior DUI or seven if you have two prior DUIs, for each death. More than two convictions carry a minimum of seven years for each victim consecutively.
Occurring in an Active Work Zone
Up to an additional five years
Other penalties associated with a vehicular homicide conviction include:
- Loss of firearms and gun rights
- Loss of voting rights while serving your sentence
- No or limited international travel rights
- Felony imprisonment and fines
- Social and professional stigma
- Barriers to commercial and professional licenses
- Removal/Deportation from the United States if you’re not a citizen
Case-specific factors can also affect the amount of prison time you face. What is true for one legal situation may not apply to yours. For example, if you read about a case where someone got ten years for vehicular homicide, don’t automatically assume that is what will happen to you.
Instead, retain vehicular homicide defense lawyers in Philadelphia as soon as possible. These consequences are far too harsh for anyone to bear, especially when they didn’t commit the crime or prosecutors don’t have enough proof to get a conviction. Brad V. Shuttleworth, Esq. will fight for the dismissal of your case or exoneration in court.
There Is Still Hope to Walk Away Free
A charge of Vehicular Homicide does not guarantee a conviction. Even if the evidence is HIGHLY damning, you aren’t doomed. An experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will identify potential defenses and execute them with aplomb. You do not have to endure this moment in life alone.
It’s Possible to Beat Your Vehicular Homicide Charges
Shuttleworth Law P.C. exists to protect people in your exact situation. We thrive on winning cases for clients and watching them walk away from the courtroom, completely free. Our legal team wants to deliver that same feeling to you, too.
Successful defenses that Brad V. Shuttleworth, Esq., our founder, has deployed in the past include:
Defense #1
It can’t be proven that you were driving negligently
Defense #2
You were somewhere else, so it couldn’t have been you
Defense #3
It’s a case of mistaken identity
Defense #4
You didn’t commit a traffic violation
Defense #5
You weren’t the one behind the wheel
Defense #6
The vehicle was malfunctioning
Defense #7
It can’t be proven that you were driving negligently
Defense #8
Prosecutors didn’t prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt
We could keep listing an endless number of defenses, but we think you get the point. If there is a way to get your charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced, Shuttleworth Law P.C. will pounce on every opportunity that you want.
Shuttleworth Law P.C.’s Case Results
If you want to review just how creative we can get with our defenses, take a look at a few examples of actual cases from real clients below:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. C.L.
Ruling: Not Guilty
Client charged with armed robbery of a bank in Philadelphia. The incident was caught on video. Trial was held in front of a judge, and client was found NOT GUILTY of all charges. The defense was mistaken identification. As a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia, I take great pride in achieving the most advantageous outcome.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. D.A.
Ruling: Not Guilty
Client was charged with aggravated assault of a correctional officer while in custody at the Detention Center in Philadelphia, PA (part of the Philadelphia Prison System). He testified that he had to punch the correctional officer in self-defense, because he was attacked by two officers. Client was found NOT GUILTY.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. D.C.
Ruling: Not Guilty
Client accused of burglarizing a home at night. A neighbor witness claimed to have seen the burglar and recognized him as client. Witness also claimed he knew client from the neighborhood, which is why he recognized him. Mistaken identification was the defense. Client found NOT GUILTY of all charges.
Shuttleworth Law P.C. Is On YOUR Side
Vehicular Homicide charges present unique challenges for clients. Not only are you trying to deal with a legal battle, but you are also handling the emotional aftermath of ending another person’s life.
Here is what the legal team at Shuttleworth Law P.C. wants you to remember:
- Life can really, really suck sometimes
- You are innocent until proven guilty
- Your charges are defensible
- You are a good person
- Our Philadelphia vehicular homicide defense lawyers have the legal resources necessary to fight your charges
Shuttleworth Law P.C. will craft a defensive case strategy unique to your Vehicular Homicide charges. Each issue is different, and we never approach cases with a one-size-fits-all solution. We will consult with you often to ensure that we work toward your desired outcome and never keep you guessing about the status of your case.
Call Brad V. Shuttleworth, Esq. Now for a Free Case Evaluation
Our Philadelphia Vehicular Homicide lawyers can get you more information about your charges at NO COST or OBLIGATION to you. Call Shuttleworth Law P.C. now for your Free Case Evaluation at 888-529-3486 or message Brad V. Shuttleworth, Esq. directly via the contact form below.