Baltimore, MD Traffic Violations Lawyers

Attorneys Defending Against Vehicular Manslaughter and Other Traffic Offenses in Baltimore, Maryland

In Maryland, there are certain types of traffic violations that a person can be charged with that could result in them being sentenced to prison. Some traffic offenses can result in fines, such as a speeding ticket or running a stop sign. Others are known as "must appear" offenses. These offenses include:

• Driving with a suspended license
• Hit and run
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Fleeing and eluding
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Driving without insurance

The charges listed above are serious criminal offenses in the State of Maryland. These offenses will not only carry potential jail time, but they may also result in large fines and points on a driving record that will be assessed by the Motor Vehicle Administration. At Silverman Thompson, we know how to defend clients against serious traffic offenses while helping them protect their licenses and minimize the penalties they may face.

Vehicular Manslaughter

Vehicular manslaughter, sometimes called vehicular homicide, is a criminal charge that may apply when a person is accused of causing the death of another person while driving recklessly or negligently. In vehicular manslaughter cases, the charges do not require premeditation or intent to cause harm to the other person.

In Maryland, there are two categories of vehicular manslaughter:

• Manslaughter by vehicle may be charged when a person is accused of causing the death of another in a grossly negligent manner
• Criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle may be charged when a person is accused of causing the death of another in a criminally negligent manner

The difference between gross negligence and criminal negligence is that gross implies a substantial deviation from what a reasonable driver would do, and criminal implies a failure to perceive a substantial risk that a reasonable person would perceive.

Manslaughter by vehicle is a felony, and a conviction can carry up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle is a misdemeanor that can carry up to three years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.

Even if you do not go to jail for a serious traffic offence, a conviction and the resulting points can cause you to lose your privilege to drive and/or face large increases in your insurance premiums. If you find yourself charged with one of these serious offenses, you must immediately retain a team of attorneys who address traffic-related matters on a daily basis.

Hire an Aggressive Traffic Crimes Defense Lawyer

At Silverman Thompson, our criminal traffic trial team is headed by Senior Partner Brian G. Thompson, who is a former prosecutor. Mr. Thompson and the attorneys on his team have decades of experience handling these types of cases, both as former assistant state's attorneys and as defense lawyers. Unlike many other attorneys who handle traffic cases, Mr. Thompson and his team practice exclusively in the area of criminal and traffic defense. The attorneys on our team are in criminal and traffic court every day.

We will attack the government's case against you from the moment you were stopped by the police all the way through to your arrest to make sure the police acted legally and treated you fairly. Questions we may address include:

• Were you legally stopped?
• Were you advised of your Miranda rights before any statement was taken from you?
• Did the police officer have probable cause to arrest you, and was the arrest otherwise legal?
• Were you denied your right to speak to an attorney?

These are just a few of the possible defenses that our criminal traffic team will aggressively pursue on your behalf.

Our criminal defense attorneys have the experience and knowledge needed to exploit the mistakes that are very often made by the police to your advantage. We can determine what other methods may also be used to defend you against these serious traffic charges. We know how important your freedom and your privilege to drive are to you, and we will aggressively fight to ensure that you keep both.

Contact Our Baltimore Traffic Violation Defense Attorneys

At Silverman Thompson, we are committed to providing our clients with the best possible defense as they address traffic charges or other offenses. To get a strong defense that will help you resolve traffic violations successfully, contact our Baltimore, MD vehicular manslaughter lawyers at 410-385-2225 and arrange a free consultation.