NJ Manslaughter Charges

Camden NJ Manslaughter Lawyers

Defending Clients Charged with Manslaughter in Burlington and Camden County, NJ

Manslaughter Charges Camden County NJThe word “manslaughter” carries a strong feeling, just shy of the force of the word murder. Under New Jersey law, the offense of manslaughter is treated as one of the most serious violent crimes. If you or a loved one are facing charges for manslaughter in New Jersey, it is imperative that you obtain the representation of a skilled criminal defense lawyer, as the potential consequences you may face if convicted include serious prison time. Experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney William C. Fay has been successfully fighting criminal charges for years. With his former position investigating and prosecuting cases for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Mr. Fay now uses his proven trial tactics and unwavering commitment to pursue the best result. To find out how Mr. Fay and the team at our Camden County criminal defense law firm can help you with the serious charges and penalties you face for manslaughter, contact our local office at 609-832-3202. You can also fill out our online form to arrange an free, confidential consultation.

Manslaughter Charges in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4

If you are charged with manslaughter in New Jersey, it means that you are accused of causing the death of another person by consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk. There are a few different types of manslaughter under New Jersey law, including: aggravated manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, reckless manslaughter, and manslaughter involving the heat of passion. Here is an explanation of the various forms of manslaughter that may lead to criminal charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4 or N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.

You may be charged with vehicular manslaughter if it is alleged that you caused the death of another person by driving recklessly. This may involve dangerous and erratic driving, speeding, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or killing someone while attempting to elude police.

If you are alleged to have recklessly caused the death of another person in a context other than while driving, or if you willfully kill someone with reasonable provocation but without a reasonable opportunity to “cool off,” you may be charged with a second degree crime for manslaughter.

Finally, the most serious level of manslaughter is first degree aggravated manslaughter. You may be charged with this offense if you are accused of causing the death of another person while manifesting extreme indifference to human life.

Sentencing for Manslaughter in NJ

Potential sentences for a manslaughter conviction in New Jersey are significant and increase in severity with each different level of manslaughter charge. All second degree manslaughter convictions carry the potential of fines of up to $150,000 and prison time of between 5 and 10 years. If convicted of vehicular manslaughter, you may lose your driver’s license for 2 years and face a 5 to 10 year term of incarceration. First degree aggravated manslaughter, the most serious manslaughter offense, carries a potential sentence of $200,000 in fines and 10 to 20 years in prison.

Additionally, pursuant to New Jersey’s “No Early Release Act,” defendants who are convicted of manslaughter are required to serve at least 85% of their sentence before they become eligible for parole.

What are the possible defenses for a manslaughter charge?

The potential defenses available to you in your case depend on the specific facts. As in any criminal case, in order to obtain a conviction, the prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt to a unanimous jury. This means that if even one juror has a reasonable doubt as to whether you actually committed manslaughter, you should be found not guilty.

If the police improperly obtained evidence in your case, in violation of your Constitutional rights, your lawyer may be able to get that evidence excluded from the record. This can make it much more difficult, and sometimes even impossible, for the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Other common defenses include a lack of the requisite mens rea. Mens rea is your state of mind and level of intent to commit the offense. For example, if you are charged with vehicular manslaughter and your lawyer successfully argues that you were not driving recklessly, but merely negligently, you should be found not guilty of the offense. The most important thing to do when charged with manslaughter in New Jersey is to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer review your case to identify the best course of action. Targeting the key points of your defense and successfully arguing them in court can truly determine the outcome of your case.

Contact a Gloucester NJ Manslaughter Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one has been charged with manslaughter in New Jersey, you need a knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend you. The attorneys at our criminal defense law firm are thoroughly prepared to review your case and determine your best defense, as we have done this for years for clients in Camden, Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Berlin, Haddonfield, and Waterford, and throughout South Jersey. For more information and to speak with an attorney today, call our law office at 609-832-3202.

Testimonials

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"Excellent criminal defense lawyer"

"William handled a matter for me and exceeded my expectations. He was excellent in all areas of the law and achieved an outstanding result. Best of all,he demonstrates honesty and integrity. I would highly recommend William and already have."

Wayne

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"Amazing!!!"

"I was so scared and nervous about my legal situation but Mr. Fay did an outstanding job with my case!!! I was so relieved with the outcome and he worked so hard for me! He was so calm and understanding and I’m so grateful for him. Thank you so very much for helping me! I am so grateful appreciative."

Jessica

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"All Charges Dropped & Expunged"

"William defended me in my marijuana + paraphernalia case, he had all charges dropped and expunged! Despite the fact I was long past conditional discharges/probation, etc. He has a sharp wit and a bright future ahead of him as an attorney. Thanks again Will!"

Andrew

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"Fantastic Lawyer"

"Mr. Fay is a fantastic lawyer. He helped me during a very stressful time in my life. He was knowledgeable about my case and what my options were. He answered all my questions and was very reassuring. He was there waiting for me at the entrance on my court date and made me feel at ease. He worked with the prosecutor to reduce my charges. I got the best outcome I could have hoped for. I highly recommend Mr. Fay if you need a lawyer."

Eric

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"Marijuana Charges"

"I was arrested and summoned to court for possession of marijuana, even though I didn't have any on me. It was my first time getting in trouble and I was terrified and nervous. Mr. Fay came into court prepared and was extremely assuring. He made it very clear that he was going to fight for my case until the very end. He was extremely knowledgable about my case and the ways to resolve it. I would recommend Mr. Fay to anyone who has gotten into trouble."

former client

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"Excellent lawyer. Highly recommended."

"Mr. Fay is extremely caring and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain the entire process in a very clear manner and was a tremendous help during a stressful time. He was always available to take a phone call and really showed that he cared about me and my case. I highly recommend Mr. Fay as an attorney." "

former client

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"Highly recommend"

"Great lawyer. Created a best possible outcome for my case."

former client

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"Amazing job, explains very clearly"

"He did a fantastic job on my case, making my penalty much less than I thought it could possibly be. He clearly understands what he is doing and can explain everything in a way that anyone can understand. Any questions I had were answered very clearly and he listened to all small details of my case."

former client

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If you or someone you love has been charged with a criminal or DUI offense in New Jersey, finding the answers you need to make informed decisions is critical. Complete our contact form to request your free consultation or contact 609-832-3202


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