Kirkland Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

When someone loses their life, the Washington state criminal justice system is often charged up and wants to see someone pay. Unfortunately, these efforts often result in wrongful accusations and convictions. If you have been charged with manslaughter, working with a trial-proven Kirkland homicide defense lawyer may be your best opportunity to clear your name or secure another favorable outcome.

Depending on the incident in question, the circumstances of the case, and the state’s evidence against you, you could be looking at life in prison. Get help protecting your future when you turn to a reputable Kirkland manslaughter defense lawyer from Puget Law Group. Our team of former prosecutors can offer insight into how the state may approach your case, so contact our legal team to request a confidential case assessment today.

Manslaughter Charges Are Taken Seriously in Washington State

Your Kirkland criminal defense lawyer with Puget Law Group is here to help you understand the severity of the charges you are facing. There are several different types of manslaughter charges, with one common element: killing someone else without malice aforethought.

Second-degree manslaughter is the lesser of the two primary manslaughter charges. If you are accused of causing someone else’s death due to criminal negligence or recklessness, these charges may apply as described under RCW 9A.32.070. This is considered a class B felony punishable by fines up to $20,000 and as much as 10 years in prison.

First-degree manslaughter charges are more serious. Per RCW 9A.32.060, you could be charged with first-degree manslaughter if you are accused of intentionally causing someone else’s death involving mitigating factors, such as severe emotional distress that consumed you and provoked the incident in question. This is considered a class A felony, punishable by fines of up to $50,000 and a lifelong prison sentence.

Vehicular Homicide

It is not unusual for prosecutors to stack criminal charges. You could also be facing vehicular homicide charges if you caused someone else’s death due to the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, as described under RCW 46.61.520. This is a class A felony offense, which means you could be spending the rest of your life in prison and be expected to pay fines as high as $50,000.

Kirkland Manslaughter Defense FAQ

Can Manslaughter Be a Wobbler?

No. Manslaughter is not considered a wobbler offense. Wobbler crimes are offenses that can be tried as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the circumstances of the case.

No matter what type of manslaughter charges you are accused of committing, they will more than likely be at the felony level. This means you can expect to face harsher criminal penalties if you are convicted. Working with a Kirkland manslaughter defense attorney may be the best way to get the district attorney to plead your charges down to a lesser offense if the circumstances of your case warrant such action.

What if My Constitutional Rights Were Violated?

If your constitutional rights are violated, such as an illegal search violating your Fourth Amendment rights, the state is going to have a more difficult time prosecuting you. As soon as we petition the court to have any unlawfully obtained evidence dismissed due to the violation of your constitutional rights, the judge may be obligated to dismiss the charges against you. We will need to have powerful supporting evidence to demonstrate how your rights were violated for this approach to be successful.

Will I Be Stuck in Jail if the Judge Denies Bail?

Yes. If you are accused of manslaughter, it is possible the judge will set bail exorbitantly high so you cannot afford to get home to your family, or they may deny bail altogether. If you cannot afford bail or you are denied bail, you will remain incarcerated until you can afford bail or your manslaughter case is resolved.

If bail is granted, you may be able to work with a bail bondsman to post bond. Your family may be able to chip in, or you can use assets as collateral. If the judge does not believe you are a flight risk and sees that you have strong community ties, it is more likely bail will be granted.

What Are Aggravating Factors?

When aggravating factors apply, the penalties you face could be enhanced. Conversely, if mitigating factors apply, the penalties could be reduced. Some examples of aggravating factors could include:

• Having an extensive criminal history
• Being a repeat offender
• Committing a crime in the presence of a child
• Committing a crime against a vulnerable victim
• Being motivated by hostility
• Planning the crime in advance
• Causing physical bodily injury or death
• Lack of remorse 

Do I Qualify for Pretrial Diversion?

When you are accused of committing manslaughter, generally, you will not be eligible for pretrial diversion. This is because manslaughter charges are considered violent crimes. To be eligible for pretrial diversion, you must:

• Not have participated in a state pretrial diversion program
• Not have prior felony convictions on your record
• Be a first-time offender
• Not be accused of committing a sex crime or violent criminal offense

What Should I Expect from the Trial Process?

We have represented clients for nearly every criminal offense that you could be facing so we have the experience to instill the confidence you need. A manslaughter defense lawyer in Kirkland will walk you through every step so you know how to prepare for a criminal trial if your case goes to court. Our ultimate goal will be to have the charges against you dismissed or to secure an acquittal if your case makes it to trial. 

Contact a Top-Rated Manslaughter Defense Lawyer in Kirkland, WA For Help Today

You may or may not have accidentally or intentionally caused someone else’s death. If you are accused of committing a crime this serious, it has never been more important for you to take the law seriously. Get help avoiding a lifetime in prison and a criminal record that destroys your reputation when you turn to a tactical manslaughter defense attorney in Kirkland, WA from Puget Law Group.

You can rely on our team to carefully evaluate the evidence against you and determine whether law enforcement officials or the prosecutor violated your constitutional rights in the course of their investigation. We will do everything possible to get unlawfully obtained or irrelevant evidence suppressed at trial or work out a plea agreement with the district attorney if it is in your best interest. Call our office or submit our confidential contact form to schedule your initial defense strategy session as soon as today.