Facing Homicide by Vehicle While DUI Charges? Here's Why Hope Isn't Lost.
A charge of Homicide by Vehicle While DUI in Pennsylvania is one of the most serious accusations anyone can face. With your freedom, reputation, and future at stake, the right defense strategy could mean the difference between devastation and a second chance. If you're overwhelmed by the road ahead, you don't have to face it alone. My 37+ years of courtroom experience, including eight years as an attorney for the Pennsylvania State Police, equip me to fight relentlessly for your future.
Why These Charges Are So Serious
Under Pennsylvania law, Homicide by Vehicle While DUI is a felony with mandatory state prison time. Here's what you're up against:
- Felony Conviction: At least three years of mandatory state prison for each death involved. For multiple deaths, sentences are consecutive, meaning they stack—three years per death becomes six, nine, or more years behind bars.
- Additional Consequences: As a convicted felon, your rights to own a firearm, vote, and even travel freely are restricted. Employment opportunities and professional licenses could vanish.
- License Suspension: A three-year suspension of your driver's license begins only after serving your prison sentence.
But the stakes don't stop there. A felony conviction marks you for life, and the stigma of a Homicide by Vehicle conviction can be impossible to shake without the right representation.
Why Hope Isn't Lost
Even in cases where the evidence seems stacked against you, defenses exist, and I'll find them. A conviction isn't inevitable. As an experienced Pennsylvania DUI attorney, I can analyze every detail of your case to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution's arguments. I have built my career on finding the overlooked details that can turn a case around.
Here are just some of the things I do when defending Homicide by Vehicle Cases:
- Challenging Causation: The law requires a direct link between your DUI and the injuries caused. If external factors, such as weather conditions, road hazards, or the actions of another party, contributed to the accident, this could significantly weaken the prosecution's case. In some instances, expert testimony may be used to highlight these alternative causes.
- Blood/Breath Test Accuracy: Blood tests are prone to error. Contamination, improper handling, or equipment malfunctions could result in inaccurate results. Furthermore, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or acid reflux, can cause elevated BAC readings that are not reflective of actual impairment. Your attorney can challenge these results by scrutinizing testing procedures and consulting forensic toxicologists.
- Improper Police Procedures: Law enforcement officers are required to follow strict protocols during DUI investigations, including field sobriety tests and chemical testing. If they fail to follow these guidelines, evidence against you could be suppressed. An attorney with experience in DUI defense can identify procedural errors that might benefit your case.
- Accident Reconstruction: Hiring experts to reconstruct the accident can reveal the truth about what happened, sometimes disproving police claims. Detailed analyses of vehicle speeds, impact angles, and road conditions can demonstrate that the injuries occurred due to factors unrelated to your alleged impairment.
- Witness Testimonies: Eyewitness accounts can play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of what happened. A skilled attorney can cross-examine witnesses to uncover inconsistencies in their stories or introduce new witnesses who provide a more accurate depiction of events.
- Medical Records Review: Sometimes the severity of injuries—or whether they meet the legal definition of "serious bodily injury"—can be contested. By reviewing medical records and consulting with healthcare professionals, your attorney may challenge whether the injuries warrant felony charges.
Defenses like these are why it's critical to act quickly. A thorough investigation and the use of expert resources can make all the difference in building a strong case and safeguarding your future. I have spent my career zeroing in on that one single flaw that can change everything.
Examples of My Successful Results
- Case 1: My client faced accusations of speeding at 104 mph with a BAC nearly three times the legal limit. We successfully suppressed key evidence, leading to a dismissal of all major charges.
- Case 2: After thorough accident reconstruction and toxicology reviews, we proved that the prosecution's evidence didn't hold up, resulting in the withdrawal of a Homicide by Vehicle charge.
- Case 3: Expert analysis showed my client's alleged speed was grossly overestimated, changing the entire narrative, and ultimately reducing charges. The police said my client was traveling at 96 mph. He was really traveling at 60 mph.
Every case is unique, and success depends on meticulous preparation, expert witnesses, and a fearless approach to defense. Go to my case results page to see more of my successful results.
What Sets Me Apart?
- Unmatched Expertise: As the author of Pennsylvania's leading DUI defense textbook, I teach other attorneys how to handle complex DUI cases. Now, I bring that same level of expertise to your defense.
- Science-Driven Defense: Accident reconstruction, forensic toxicology, and a deep understanding of medical science allow me to challenge evidence effectively. When the smallest details matter, I leave no stone unturned.
- Personalized Attention: Unlike high-volume firms, I limit my caseload to focus on giving your case the attention it deserves. You'll have direct access to me throughout the process—no middlemen or excuses.
- Proven Results: With a track record of dismissed charges, reduced penalties, and minimized damage, my clients see outcomes that other lawyers thought were impossible.
What Can You Expect If We Work Together?
- Comprehensive Case Analysis: From police reports to accident reconstructions, I scrutinize every element of the case against you.
- Collaboration with Top Experts: I partner with leading toxicologists, investigators, and accident reconstruction experts to build the strongest defense possible.
- Relentless Advocacy: Whether negotiating with prosecutors or taking your case to trial, I fight for the best possible result.
Act Now—Take the First Step!
Time is critical. Memories fade, and evidence can disappear. Everyday counts when your future is at stake. The sooner we begin building your defense, the better your chances.
When your freedom and reputation are on the line, trust an attorney with a proven track record of success. 📞 Call Pennsylvania DUI attorney Mike Sherman right now for a free consultation at (412) 471-5000.
