A Hudson Valley man is being accused of homicide in the aftermath of an accident in which a motorcyclist died. According to police, the man had been driving at approximately 10:30 p.m. without his headlights and collided with the motorcycle. The motorcyclist died at a nearby hospital.
The driver was then arraigned on several charges, including felony DUI. He has been charged with driving while intoxicated, vehicular homicide and driving without a license. He is currently being held in jail on $50,000 bail.
A conviction of vehicular homicide in New York State can carry a penalty of up to 15 years in jail. Vehicular homicide is classified as a felony and will remain on a person’s record following a conviction.
A person who is facing a charge of vehicular homicide might benefit from the advice of an attorney. Many people find court procedures to be overwhelming and confusing. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to offer guidance and help the defendant prepare for court. Everyone, no matter what they are accused of, is entitled to a fair trial. A defense lawyer will work diligently to try and protect the rights of someone accused of a felony crime.
A criminal defense attorney may investigate the police procedures followed during arraignment and arrest. If a person’s rights have been infringed upon or police protocol was not followed, an attorney might be able to have the charges reduced. If the person is convicted of a crime, an attorney may be able to negotiate with the court for a reduced sentence.
Source: The Republic, “Police: Hudson Valley man charged with homicide, DWI after crash kills motorcyclist”, May 04, 2013
