Criminal Defense Lawyers

NY Penal Law § 125.12: Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree

In the event that you are intoxicated from having used drugs or alcohol, and you kill someone while you are driving a car, minivan, SUV or any other type of vehicle, you could face the charge of vehicular manslaughter. In the New York criminal code, three different types of criminal offenses related to killing someone as a result of driving while intoxicated are defined: vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the first degree and aggravated vehicular homicide. Out of these three crimes, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree is the least serious offense. Nevertheless, this is a felony offense and should be taken seriously. You will face a charge of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree under New York Penal Law § 125.12 if you kill another individual, and:

1. You operate a motor vehicle while you are legally intoxicated.  This means that your blood alcohol level at the time of the accident is at .08 or above, or that you are driving while your ability to make wise decisions is impaired by drugs,
2. You operate a motor vehicle while you are legally intoxicated and the vehicle is carrying flammable gas, radioactive materials or explosives inside, or
3. You operate a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.

Example

Lloyd spends the evening at a party at a friend’s house. While there, he eats and he consumes several alcoholic drinks over a period of 4 hours. He finally leaves the party at 1:00am. Roughly 10 minutes after driving away from his friend’s home, Lloyd’s vehicle collides with another car. The driver of the other vehicle dies 3 days later due to injuries sustained in the accident. The crime lab’s chemical test revealed that Lloyd’s BAC was .09, which is above the legal limit. In this scenario, Lloyd could face prosecution for vehicular manslaughter in the second degree.

Offenses that are Related

Reckless driving: New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1212

Vehicular manslaughter in the first degree: New York Penal Law § 125.13

Aggravated vehicular homicide: New York Penal Law § 125.14

Possible Defenses

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

Load more

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Should you be able to challenge the veracity of the chemical test that would be used to demonstrate that you were intoxicated above the legal BAC limit at the time of the accident, then you might have a successful defense against a charge of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree. For instance, there are prescribed procedures that must be followed to ensure the accuracy of the chemical test.

The Sentence

Due to the fact that vehicular manslaughter in the second degree is categorized as a class D felony, the maximum possible sentence you could get is 7 years in prison. On top of that, your driving privileges would be suspended or revoked.