Long Island Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer

Long Island Vehicular Manslaughter Attorney

Not all serious crimes are premeditated or involve intent. When a regrettable decision to drive under the influence leads to a homicide, the consequences for the accused can be life-altering. A Long Island vehicular manslaughter lawyer can protect your rights and develop a legal strategy that works to reduce the consequences you may be facing. A criminal defense attorney in Long Island can manage the complexities of the legal process and secure a favorable outcome for your case.

Unwavering Legal Representation When Your Freedom Is on the Line

Serious criminal allegations require a serious and focused defense strategy. When defendants face vehicular manslaughter charges in Long Island, they turn to The Vitaliano Law Firm for unwavering legal support and the types of legal insights that only a former prosecutor can bring.

Attorney Michael Vitaliano is a former New York City prosecutor who handled complex felony cases involving DUI fatalities, reckless driving, and vehicular crimes. After receiving his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, he returned to Staten Island and founded The Vitaliano Law Firm to serve the community where he was born and raised. Clients praise his work, which has secured many positive outcomes for their criminal cases.

Traffic Death Statistics in Long Island

Traffic deaths are an unfortunate reality in and around Long Island. While most accidents are not criminal in nature, cases that involve serious negligence or misconduct could lead to vehicular manslaughter charges, especially when drugs or alcohol are involved.

In 2022, Suffolk County recorded 164 traffic fatalities, while Nassau County reported 81, bringing the total number of traffic-related deaths on Long Island to 245 for the year. By 2023, Suffolk’s fatal crash rate reached 10.2 per 100,000 residents, the highest of any of New York’s 20 most populous counties.

One devastating incident occurred on June 16, 2025, when an 18-year-old wrong-way driver caused a head-on collision in East Hampton. The crash claimed the life of a 19-year-old and left six others injured. Authorities arrested the suspect on multiple charges, including aggravated DWI with a child passenger, driving while intoxicated, and endangering the welfare of a child.

What Situations Can Lead to a Vehicular Manslaughter Charge?

Vehicular manslaughter is a type of homicide that is not premeditated and does not have to involve criminal intent. Often, tragic deaths result from fatal crashes that involve reckless driving or driving under the influence. DUIs that lead to fatal collisions often land the drunk driver with a vehicular manslaughter charge.

Law enforcement and the DA’s office consider the level of negligence and recklessness involved before bringing charges.

Aggravating factors include:

• BAC of 0.18% or higher
• Driving while license suspended or previously revoked
• Prior DUI convictions within the last decade
• Causing the death of multiple people

Vehicular manslaughter cases may lead to penalties that include substantial prison time, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record.

Why You Should Hire a Vehicular Manslaughter Attorney

If you stand charged with vehicular manslaughter in Long Island, the decision to hire a vehicular manslaughter attorney may be one of the most important choices you make. A criminal defense attorney brings years of experience with Long Island vehicular manslaughter laws.

If the elements of the alleged offense have not been met, your attorney can take steps to reduce your charges. In cases where your attorney can show that you did not act with negligence or recklessness, your attorney can argue that the collision was a tragic accident that should not result in criminal charges of any kind.

FAQs

Can You Get Out of Vehicular Manslaughter?

You can get out of a vehicular manslaughter charge, but doing so requires evidence supporting your innocence or a focused legal strategy that shows your charges should be reduced or dropped. A criminal defense attorney may challenge toxicology reports, dispute causation, or argue procedural violations. If the prosecution’s case is weak, the charges may be reduced or dismissed. Achieving any of these goals requires the help of skilled legal representation.

What Is the Difference Between Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Manslaughter?

In New York, the legal term is vehicular manslaughter, not vehicular homicide, which is used in some other states. Both terms generally refer to causing a death while driving recklessly or under the influence. Under New York law, vehicular manslaughter charges are categorized by degree, with penalties based on factors like intoxication, prior offenses, and the severity of the conduct involved.

How Much Prison Time Do You Get for Vehicular Manslaughter in NY?

The amount of prison time you can get for vehicular manslaughter in NY depends on whether the charge was for first-degree or second-degree vehicular manslaughter, which are Class C and Class D felonies, respectively. For vehicular manslaughter in the first degree, the maximum sentence is 15 years. For a second-degree charge, it’s up to seven years.

Judges may impose lesser sentences based on the circumstances of the case. Working with a criminal defense attorney can help reduce exposure to long-term imprisonment or other penalties.

What Should You Do if You’re Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter in New York?

If you are charged with vehicular manslaughter in New York, do not answer questions from police without legal representation. Your first step should be contacting a criminal defense lawyer who can assess the charges and begin building a defense. These cases often involve complex evidence, including accident reconstruction and toxicology. A strong legal strategy from the beginning can help reduce the potential penalties you may be facing.

Contact The Vitaliano Law Firm and Work With a Top-Rated Defense Firm

A vehicular manslaughter charge in New York can result in years of prison time, a revoked license, and a permanent criminal record. The Vitaliano Law Firm provides focused and strategic defense for those accused of causing a fatal crash, including cases involving DUI. When you partner with our firm, you’ll work with a former prosecutor who knows how to fight and win criminal cases.

Setting our firm apart is our nationally recognized lawyer. In 2022, our founding attorney was named a Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney by Attorney Practice and Magazine. Take the first step today by contacting our office to schedule your consultation with a Long Island vehicular manslaughter lawyer.