Serving Sacramento County and Beyond Manslaughter

We represent good people who find themselves, on occasion, on the wrong side of the law. We have extensive trial experience and are proven litigators. We have handled every type of criminal case from A to Z.

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Step 1: The Arrest

Don’t let the police take advantage of you while you’re in custody. Call Walsh Law right away, and we’ll get to work protecting your rights so you don’t inadvertently self-incriminate.
Step 2: The Arraignment

Walsh Law is an aggressive Folsom criminal defense firm that can argue for reasonable bail and help you await the end of your case from the comfort of your home.
Step 3: Pre-Trial Hearings

We’ll evaluate the prosecution’s case, challenge weak evidence and inconsistencies, and do our due diligence to get the charges against you reduced or dropped.

Nevada County Manslaughter Attorney

One mishap can result in manslaughter charges. Your entire life shouldn’t be shattered because of a mistake. Although manslaughter charges indicate that you did not intend to harm anyone, you’ll still be facing a homicide offense that can land you in prison.

If you’ve been accused of manslaughter in Nevada County, call Walsh Law right away. We can help you get your charges reduced or dismissed. Call (916) 610-3558 or use our online contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

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Our Client Testimonials

“I have permanently added him to my contacts for any future needs. THANK YOU CHRIS!!”
“I am always able to get ahold of him directly either by cell or text including after hours and if for some reason he isn’t immediately available, he responds as soon as he can.”

- Melissa C.
“Mr Walsh is the very best!!”
“He was compassionate and explained to me what to expect in an easy way for me to understand. He was straightforward and delivered on what he said he could do for me!”

- Claudia H.
“I would like to thank Chris for helping me achieve a better deal.”
“I was in a bit of a situation and public defenders weren’t doing anything to help my case as if they didn’t have time. Which they don’t, but Chris Walsh did and came up with a few methods to fight my case.”

- Dewan P.

What Is Manslaughter in Nevada County?

In California, manslaughter (California Penal Code Section 192(c) PC) is the unlawful killing of another person without malice. It’s different from murder, which requires intent to kill or malice aforethought.

Malice aforethought is a willful, deliberate, or premeditated act. Manslaughter specifically does not require those elements. Murder does.
There are multiple categories of manslaughter, including voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and vehicular manslaughter. These charges have unique elements that the prosecutor must prove to get a conviction.

What Is Voluntary Manslaughter?

Voluntary manslaughter occurs when someone kills another person during a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion, often triggered by adequate provocation. The key elements here are the suddenness of the action and the intense emotions involved. It is often based on an honest, but unreasonable, belief in the need to defend oneself or others. It’s covered under California Penal Code Section 192(a) PC.

For example, if a husband comes home to his wife cheating on him and immediately kills the other individual in the heat of the moment, then the husband may be guilty of voluntary manslaughter.

Call Nevada County manslaughter lawyer Chris Walsh and his legal team today at (916) 610-3558 or use our online contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation of your case.

What Is Involuntary Manslaughter?

This happens when someone kills another person unintentionally, but due to recklessness or criminal negligence. Examples include leaving a child unattended in a hot car or using a firearm without proper care. It’s covered under California Penal Code Section 192(b) PC.

The key elements here are that the crime was not considered an inherently dangerous felony, and it was a lawful act that might produce death.

What Is Vehicular Manslaughter?

This is a specific type of involuntary manslaughter that results from driving under the influence (DUI) or other unlawful operation of a motor vehicle. It’s covered under California Penal Code Section 192(c) PC.

Specific elements include that the alleged offender was driving the motor vehicle in a negligent or unlawful manner, and they caused the death of another person.

It’s important to know that vehicular manslaughter is a wobbler offense. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the level of negligence and other facts of the case.

Penalties for Manslaughter in Nevada County

The penalties for manslaughter in Nevada County vary depending on the specific type of manslaughter committed and the specific circumstances of the case.

Penalties for Voluntary Manslaughter

As the most serious type of manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter can result in the harshest consequences, including a possible prison sentence of three, six, or 11 years in state prison or probation with up to one year in county jail. The alleged offender may also receive a fine of up to $10,000.
The presence of aggravating factors like using a weapon, prior convictions, or gang involvement can increase the sentence. Mitigating factors like lack of prior criminal history or remorse can lead to a lighter sentence.

Penalties for Involuntary Manslaughter

As a felony offense, involuntary manslaughter can result in a possible sentence of two, three, or four years in state prison or probation and a fine of up to $10,000.

Like voluntary manslaughter, aggravating and mitigating factors influence the sentence. Additionally, if a firearm was used, the conviction could be considered a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law, potentially leading to harsher penalties.

Penalties for Vehicular Manslaughter

The penalties for this crime depend on whether ordinary or gross negligence was used in the commission of the offense. If you acted with ordinary negligence, you may face a misdemeanor charge and up to one year in jail. If you acted with gross negligence, you could face two, four, or six years in state prison or probation and up to a $10,000 fine.

Similar to involuntary manslaughter, aggravating and mitigating circumstances can affect the penalties, with additional considerations like blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the accident and prior DUI convictions potentially increasing the sentence.

Other Potential Consequences of Manslaughter

In addition to criminal penalties, you may face the following collateral consequences for a manslaughter conviction:

Difficulty finding and maintaining jobs
Community service
Loss of professional license
Loss of driver’s license
Citizenship and immigration issues
Difficulty finding housing
Loss of voting and gun rights
Problems obtaining financial aid and education

Defenses for Manslaughter in Nevada County

There are many defenses that can be used in a Nevada County manslaughter case. Your manslaughter lawyer will review your case and help you develop the best defense strategy possible.

At Walsh Law, we may use one or more of the following defenses in your case:

Self-Defense or Defense of Others

If you acted in response to actual or perceived threat of harm, then you may be able to use a self-defense argument. In California, you are allowed to use reasonable force to defend yourself and others.

Diminished Capacity

If your mental capacity was impaired to the extent that you could not form the intent to kill, then you may be able to use an argument involving diminished capacity.

Lack of Causation

If you did not actually cause the victim’s death, then the prosecutor cannot establish causation. You must be able to show there was an independent intervening cause of the alleged victim’s death and your actions were not a substantial factor causing the alleged victim’s death.

Nevada County Manslaughter Charge FAQs

What are examples of vehicular manslaughter?

You may get a vehicular manslaughter charge for a fatal DUI accident, but many other actions can result in a fatal motor vehicle crash, including speeding, reckless driving, road rage, texting and driving, and distracted driving.

What should I do if I’m being investigated for manslaughter?

If you are asked to give a statement to detectives, do not speak to them alone. Let your Nevada County manslaughter lawyer handle all questions on your behalf.

How can a lawyer help with my manslaughter charges?

If you are charged with manslaughter, your Nevada County criminal defense attorney can guide you through the legal system. They will handle communication with the authorities and help you get out of jail while you wait for your case to move through the criminal justice system. Your attorney can provide you with solid legal advice about California manslaughter laws and how to develop a strong defense in your case.

Get Help from a Nevada County Manslaughter Attorney

Manslaughter is a serious criminal charge that will affect your entire life. It could cause you to lose your job and tarnish your reputation with friends and family. The Nevada County manslaughter attorneys at Walsh Law know what you’re facing, and we understand how to create defense strategies that win.

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Meet Our Team

We know it’s easy to get swept up with emotions and confusion in the aftermath of being charged with a crime. That’s why our Folsom criminal defense attorneys aim to shoulder as much of the burden as we can, providing reassurance plus honest insight and advice where you need it.

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Why Walsh Law?

Walsh Law’s mission is to be the gold standard of criminal defense by providing superior legal advocacy in the face of potentially life-changing consequences.

Chris Walsh is a former prosecutor, so we know what you’re up against when you face criminal charges. Now, clients like you get to benefit from what we’ve learned in our careers and how we apply what we know to get the results you’re after.

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