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Las Vegas Manslaughter Lawyer

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Although manslaughter is a lesser charge than homicide, a conviction could still result in steep fines, jail time, and other life-changing consequences. But what are manslaughter charges? Under § 200.040 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another person without malice or premeditation.

If you have been accused or arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in Nevada, the time to begin looking out for your future is now. The distinguished manslaughter attorneys at Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, can help. To learn more about manslaughter charges and what you can do to protect your rights if you have been charged, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately for a free initial case evaluation.

Types of Manslaughter Charges

Nevada law recognizes three different types of manslaughter. Each of these crimes has a slightly different legal definition. But any of them can lead to severe penalties.

The three separate legal definitions of manslaughter in Nevada are:

Involuntary manslaughter — Defined under NRS § 200.070, involuntary manslaughter involves unintentionally killing someone during an unlawful or negligent act. Involuntary manslaughter is a lesser offense than second-degree murder, which is also typically defined as the unintentional killing of another person but with extreme recklessness.
Voluntary manslaughter — Voluntary manslaughter is defined under NRS § 200.050 as killing someone in the heat of passion without premeditation. They must be seriously provoked, causing them to give in to violent impulses.
Vehicular manslaughter — Under NRS § 484B.657, vehicular manslaughter is defined as causing someone’s death through negligence or failure to act while driving. The legal definitions for voluntary and involuntary manslaughter specifically exclude vehicular manslaughter, a separate and lesser offense.

The relentless criminal defense attorneys of Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, can help if you face any charges related to manslaughter in Nevada. We are prepared to begin work on your case immediately to build the best defense on your behalf.

Possible Penalties for Manslaughter Convictions

The legal penalties for a manslaughter conviction in Nevada vary depending on the circumstances. However, vehicular manslaughter is only a misdemeanor under Nevada law.

However, involuntary manslaughter is typically prosecuted as a category D felony in Nevada. Possible penalties for category D felonies include:

  1. 1 to 4 years in prison
  2. Up to $5,000 in fines

Voluntary manslaughter is typically prosecuted as a more serious category B felony. Penalties for a category B felony conviction include:

  1. 1 to 10 years in prison
  2. Up to $10,000 in fines

 

Remember that federal law has harsher penalties for voluntary and involuntary manslaughter than Nevada state law. In federal court, the maximum sentence for an involuntary manslaughter conviction is eight years in prison, while the maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter is 15 years.

A crime may be considered a federal offense if it occurred across state lines or on government property. A knowledgeable manslaughter defense attorney can help you understand the charges against you so you know what to expect at every step.

 

 

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Common Defenses Against Manslaughter Charges

There are a variety of defense strategies that can be highly effective in Nevada manslaughter cases. Here are some possible manslaughter defense approaches our attorneys may use at trial or during settlement negotiations with the prosecution:
Insufficient evidence

One of the most common strategies in any criminal defense case is simply showing that there isn’t enough evidence to prove guilt. A defendant may be acquitted if the court determines insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Procedural errors: Even with all of the checks and balances in our justice system, procedural errors still happen. For example, a defense attorney could have a manslaughter case dismissed if they can demonstrate that the court’s error prevented the defendant from receiving a fair trial.

Police misconduct

Law enforcement officers must follow strict procedures when conducting searches, seizures, arrests, and interrogations. Suppose a police officer didn’t follow these procedures when detaining a suspect or obtaining evidence in a manslaughter case. In that case, a defense attorney can file a motion to suppress evidence or dismiss the case.

Self-defense

Under Nevada law, you have the right to use lethal force to protect yourself against imminent death or bodily injury threats. In some cases, self-defense may be a valid defense in a criminal manslaughter case if the defendant acted reasonably under the circumstances.

Genuine accident

If someone dies due to a genuine accident, manslaughter charges will not apply unless the defendant was behaving negligently or unlawfully at the time of the other person’s death.

Insanity

Suppose a person is in a delusional state or suffering from some other form of insanity that prevents them from understanding their actions. In that case, they may be found not guilty because of insanity. However, this defense is typically only valid for defendants with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and may result in institutionalization even when successful.

A knowledgeable manslaughter defense lawyer can review your case and help determine the most effective defense strategy for your circumstances. They can also advise on the best possible outcome and what to expect throughout the process.

Talk to Our Experienced Manslaughter Lawyers in Las Vegas, NV

If you face manslaughter charges in Nevada, help is just a phone call away. At Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, we believe that people facing criminal charges deserve respectful and top-notch legal representation. So contact our Las Vegas manslaughter defense lawyers to discuss the details of your case in a free, confidential consultation.