FAQ Category: Vehicular Homicide

Vehicular homicide is typically a second-degree crime but is enhanced to a first-degree crime if the violation involves DWI, DUI, Breath Test Refusal in a School Zone.

Aggravated manslaughter is a lesser included offense of Vehicular Homicide. It is common for prosecutors to file both charges when there is evidence of recklessness in a motion vehicle fatality case. The two offenses often get confused or intermingled with labels like vehicular manslaughter and aggr

There are two primary distinctions between third-degree vehicular manslaughter and the second-degree variety of this charge. First, there is no requirement that the state establishes recklessness in order to secure a conviction for a third-degree offense under 2C:11-5.3 (i.e. strict liability case).

No. Negligence is the failure to operate a motor vehicle with due care and is akin to carelessness. In contrast, vehicular homicide requires a much higher showing of recklessness, the conscious disregard of a known and substantial risk of death.

The potential prison term in New Jersey for causing the death of another as a result of DWI hinges on whether the conviction is for first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree vehicular homicide. The prison term for vehicular manslaughter is 10-20 years for a first degree, 5-10 years for a second d