Driving under the influence (DUI) is incredibly dangerous and makes crashes more likely. DUI collisions are also more likely to result in death compared to other collisions. If you were arrested for impaired driving and someone was killed in the crash, you are likely facing DUI manslaughter charges. This is a very serious situation, and you need an experienced West Palm Beach DUI manslaughter lawyer as soon as possible.
A conviction for DUI manslaughter can lead to years of imprisonment, in addition to fines, license consequences, and more. It’s crucial to protect your future with a strong defense. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Nellie L. King, P.A. have decades of experience handling criminal cases at each step of the legal process, including complex DUI cases. We help you understand your options to avoid or minimize the consequences of a conviction.
Our firm has experience in state and federal criminal courts and works exclusively in criminal defense law. We also have a strong professional reputation. Nellie L. King was elected to serve on the Board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2012, and our firm has professional experience with local courts, like the Circuit Criminal Department of the Palm Beach County Circuit Court and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
When you are facing such a serious charge, you need to find the right legal support quickly to protect your rights.
A DUI manslaughter offense occurs when a person drives a vehicle while under the influence and either causes or contributes to another person’s death. It is a second-degree felony. The offense can become a first-degree felony in the following cases:
A DUI manslaughter charge doesn’t require intent for conviction, and the injured party in the crash may be a pedestrian, a passenger in the driver’s own car, or another party on the road.
The majority of impaired crashes are caused by alcohol, although some are caused by drugs or the combination of drugs and alcohol. In 2025, there were 310 alcohol-only impaired driving crashes in Palm Beach County, and they led to 10 fatalities. In the same year, there were 93 arrests for DUI manslaughter offenses in Florida, and one of those was in Palm Beach County. The courts harshly prosecute these cases, so it is crucial that you get an effective legal defense.
There are several penalties for a DUI manslaughter conviction, including imprisonment, fines, probation, the loss of your license, and other consequences. DUI manslaughter carries a mandatory minimum sentence of four years of imprisonment.
An imprisonment sentence can be up to 15 years for a second-degree felony and up to 30 years for a first-degree felony. If you are considered a habitual felony offender under Florida law, you could face up to 30 years for a second-degree offense and up to life for a first-degree offense.
Either a first-degree or second-degree offense could result in a fine of up to $10,000. You may also face other financial losses because of civil claims by the family of the victim or restitution ordered by the court. These are very serious penalties that have the potential to impact the rest of your future.
Speak Directly With an Experienced Defense Attorney
The minimum sentence for DUI manslaughter in Florida is four years of imprisonment. Depending on the offense and aggravating factors, however, a judge can assign imprisonment of up to 15 or 30 years, or even up to life if you are a habitual offender. It is crucial that you work with an experienced attorney to protect your future and your rights.
The cost of a DUI manslaughter lawyer in Florida varies based on several factors, but you can expect an attorney to have a higher cost for these offenses compared to less-severe DUI offenses. DUI manslaughter cases are some of the most serious DUI offenses, resulting in second- or first-degree felony charges. Hourly attorney rates will be higher for these more complex charges, and fees may also be higher for more experienced attorneys or attorneys in bigger cities.
Each case for DUI manslaughter in Florida has its own unique timeline and may be resolved quickly or take much longer. Cases that go to trial are likely to take significant time, as there may be multiple hearings required that have to fit the court’s schedule. Dismissed cases or plea deal cases are likely to resolve more quickly. When you hire a DUI manslaughter lawyer, they can more accurately estimate a potential timeline for your unique case.
In West Palm Beach, both DUI manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter can be charged as second-degree or first-degree felonies, depending on the circumstances, but DUI manslaughter has a mandatory minimum sentence of four years of imprisonment. DUI manslaughter also carries additional consequences associated with a DUI offense, such as the installation of an ignition interlock device. Both offenses are very serious and need the support of an experienced defense attorney.
It’s crucial that you have a skilled attorney by your side if you’ve been charged with DUI manslaughter. The right defense attorney helps you secure the ideal outcome to your case. In some cases, an attorney can help you avoid conviction entirely. An attorney can also walk you through options like a plea bargain or other methods to minimize the consequences of a conviction.
At the Law Office of Nellie L. King, P.A., we can investigate the case against you, negotiate with the prosecution, and assess your options for defense in the courtroom. Get in touch with our firm today.
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