Manslaughter

Manslaughter, like murder, involves the killing of another person at the hands of another. This allegation is obviously a very violent crime and as such is coded in Florida Statute 782.07. Depending on the victim, this charge varies in degree of felony and punishment. Regardless of victim, because a death occurs the investigating police agency will have the best of the best of their personnel and crime scene forensic investigators working on the case in an effort to convict you should you be the primary suspect. Though not a capital or life felony, if you’re charged with this crime there will be an attempt by the State Attorney’s Office to convict you and have you sentenced to the maximum available under the law, Judge willing. If you’re charged with this crime or the police have asked to question you in connection to the death of another, do not speak to the police prior to contacting Tampa criminal attorney, Jason Mayberry. The lawyers at The Mayberry Law Firm are familiar with the tactics used by law enforcement to convince an individual to speak to them about the accusation. This may sound harmless but in situations where there is no audio or video to record the conversation, what you say can easily become misconstrued, opening the door for your word against theirs at trial. Our attorneys will protect you from the intrusive methods used by the police and will ensure that your freedom and liberty is fought for every step of the way.

What is Manslaughter?

In its simplest form this is an allegation of the killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or culpable negligence of someone else, without lawful justification according to the justifiable use of force statute and in cases in which such killing should not be excusable homicide or murder. Simple manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in the Department of Corrections and a $10,000 fine.

An individual who causes the death of an elderly person or a minor under the age of 18 through culpable negligence manslaughter commits a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in the Department of Corrections and a $10,000 fine.

If one causes the death of a police officer, a firefighter, an EMT, or a paramedic through culpable negligence while any of them are in the course of their employment, commits a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in the Department of Corrections and a $10,000 fine.

How can We Help?

Like DUI manslaughter, general manslaughter requires what is called “causation.” Causation simply means that some act caused a result. In these cases, it is the negligent act of one that causes the death of another. Our attorneys will investigate your case thoroughly to determine what the actual cause of the death of the individual is. If there is question as to “causation,” there could be reasonable doubt that you are guilty.

Were you exercising a justifiable use of force in defending yourself or another? As our attorneys have seen over and over again, under Florida law an individual is justified in certain circumstances to use non-deadly or deadly force to defend themselves.

This crime is a very serious allegation. Tampa criminal lawyer Jason Mayberry is immensely experienced and successful in shielding his clients from police investigation and finding viable defenses to crimes of this nature. Contact our firm as early in the process as possible at 813-444-7435 or online.