Spokane Lawyer for Defense Against Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Homicide Charges
In Washington, if you run a stop sign or traffic signal and injure someone in a car accident, it is likely that you will only face a charge of running a stop sign. However, if you are suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the crash, you might face a charge of vehicular assault. If the person you hit dies, you could be charged with vehicular homicide.
My name is Christian Phelps, and I am a criminal defense lawyer in Spokane, Washington. I have spent the last 20 years defending criminal cases in Eastern Washington, many of them involving drunk-driving accidents that resulted in felony vehicular assault or vehicular homicide charges.
Put an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Contact my office today for a free initial consultation.
Most people don't realize that you do not have to be legally impaired to be charged with felony vehicular assault or vehicular homicide. If you have been drinking or driving under the influence of drugs, regardless of the level of intoxication, you can face serious felony charges. A felony conviction could result in a mandatory prison sentence, loss of civil rights, loss of gun ownership privileges, additional license suspension, and may even prevent you from pursuing future employment opportunities.
You do not even have to be the at-fault driver to face felony vehicular assault or vehicular homicide charges. If you were impaired, the state can claim that your consumption of alcohol was the proximate cause of the car accident. Any prior alcohol or reckless driving convictions can result in penalty enhancements that can translate into additional jail time or prison time.
Talk to Me Before You Talk to Anyone Else
Due to the seriousness of such charges, you should NOT make statements to anyone following the accident (even to your own insurance adjuster) before you have spoken with a experienced defense attorney.
Defenses in vehicular assault or vehicular homicide cases are similar to those in DUI/DWI cases. As your lawyer, I will aggressively challenge the strength of the state's case against you and help you obtain the best possible outcome.
Contact the Law Offices of Christian J. Phelps
If you face charges of felony vehicular assault or vehicular homicide in Washington, Oregon or Idaho, contact my office today for a free initial consultation. I can be reached locally at 509-323-2420.