Involuntary Manslaughter in Wilmington, NC
Some states in the United States have different iterations of laws compared to the rest of the country. This is the same case with North Carolina, and one of these crimes is about manslaughter.
A Wilmington criminal defense attorney can help you with your case.
Involuntary Manslaughter Charges
A manslaughter is generally defined as a killing of someone that was not premeditated, therefore this is more or less the cause of an accident. Involuntary manslaughter is commonly defined as the unintentional killing of another person due to recklessness, also called criminal negligence.
An involuntary manslaughter is a Class F felony, this means anyone charged of this may have to stay for 13 to 16 months in prison. A person can be guilty of involuntary manslaughter if he or she 1) kills 2) another living human being 3) by an unlawful act that does not amount to a felony and is not ordinarily dangerous to life, or by a culpably negligent act or omission.
Of course, there are also defenses that exist for those about to be charged with this case. These are of course better be assessed with the help of a legal expert. However, some people may use self defense, actual innocence, or accidental death (without negligence) as other causes.
Some deadly accidents may occur because of someone’s negligence. However, one can be blameless if the accident in itself is not because of the person’s recklessness, or if the person was not reckless in the first place.
However, even if a person was acquitted after an involuntary manslaughter charge, the deceased’s family may file a wrongful death claim in civil court.
These wrongful death lawsuits normally follow the wake of criminal trials. They may use similar evidence but with lower standards of proof. However, if someone was found liable for the wrongful death, they may still be able to be convicted of the crime associated with that death.
Hire a Wilmington Defense Lawyer
If you find yourself in any of these situations, or if you are curious just in case, it is always best to find sources about these regulations and study them carefully. It is also helpful to remember that North Carolina may have laws different from other states. Your knowledge on these differences may come in handy and be able to help you, your family, and even your friends.
If you ever find yourself in need of legal advice, feel free to contact a Wilmington criminal defense attorney today for a consultation. Remember, it is best to be at least aware of the law or be aware that there is always a legal expert nearby willing to help you.
