Killing a person with a vehicle could be a vehicular manslaughter in Nevada. And many believe that because the crime has the word manslaughter on it, it means that it can be either an involuntary or voluntary Nevada manslaughter with many leaning towards involuntary as it holds milder penalties. However, this is not exactly the case. Vehicular manslaughter in Nevada is set apart from these types of manslaughter and it is definitely different from a vehicular homicide. Here is a post that should help you understand better.
Is there a difference between vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter?
Yes. Vehicular homicide, according to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) section 484C.130, is committed when the person driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle is:
- under the influence of liquor which is proven by a 0.08 blood and breath concentration level
- under the influence of controlled substances
- already convicted of at least three related offenses
- the cause of death another person on or off the highways of Nevada
Basically, a vehicular homicide is what happens when there are aggravating factors to a vehicular manslaughter in Nevada which is the killing of a person caused by a vehicle collision or something similar.
Is vehicular manslaughter in Nevada an involuntary manslaughter?
As stated in NRS 200.040, vehicular manslaughter is not included in either an involuntary or voluntary Nevada manslaughter.
This means a defendant could not argue that the vehicular manslaughter was accidental or for this matter, voluntary. Vehicular manslaughter in Nevada is simply the murder of a person caused by negligence. A misdemeanor charge should be imposed on you if found guilty of vehicular manslaughter and this indicates up to six months in jail, fines of $1,000, and a license revocation of at least a year.
Typically, deaths caused by vehicles are accidents but they are still the result of a negligent action which is enough to make it a punishable offense. Defend yourself from the consequences of vehicular manslaughter or any type of manslaughter in Nevada with the assistance of a Las Vegas criminal defense attorney!
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