FULLERTON, Orange County - A Fullerton woman, Tomeka Harris, was convicted of vehicular manslaughter for killing her boyfriend and her 2-year-old daughter. When the accident happened, she was driving in high speed under the influence of methamphetamine which caused the death of her loved ones.
She pleaded guilty to two felony vehicular manslaughter in gross negligence while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. She is facing 6 years in prison to be sentenced at North Justice Center in Fullerton
When a driver was charged with Felony DUI or Felony driving while intoxicated, there are several reasons for the charge of a felony instead of a misdemeanor. The felony DUI is a serious crime, and the charge is usually based on the following factors: the prior criminal records or convictions for DUI or driving under the influence; also it is based on the fact that if there is any injury involved during the DUI and if there is any serious injury or death.
Under California Law, DUI or driving while intoxicated usually can be charged as felony DUI when injury or death involved. However, it would make a big difference if you are able to retain an experienced DUI attorney, like the highly experienced Orange County DUI defense attorneys at Law offices of Michael L. Guisti, to represent you in the felony DUI defense, your charges can be significantly reduced to misdemeanor charges.
Another factor results to the felony DUI charge is the prior criminal record or prior records for driving under the influence. A person with repeated DUI charges in the past 10 years could be charged with felony DUI charge even with no injury involved. When DUI, drunk driving or driving while intoxicated results in the death of anyone, it is usually charged with Felony DUI. The charges in felony driving under the influence can be charged under vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or second-degree murder.
All the felony DUI charges are serious charges. Vehicular homicide charge can be either a felony or a misdemeanor. Vehicular manslaughter usually results the death due to ordinary negligence, depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the case. Vehicular Manslaughter gross negligence is usually charged under felony DUI. It defines as the person driving under the influence knows that his action would cause the death of another person.
If convicted, felony DUI or felony driving under the influence can carry harsh punishment. It's important to hire an experienced DUI defense attorney or criminal defense lawyer to represent you so that your rights can be protected. Our Southern California criminal defense attorneys represents clients charged with felony DUI throughout Southern California, including: Orange County, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Fullerton, Westminster, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino.
How an Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer can help you in the Felony DUI or Felony Drunk Driving Defense ?
If you or someone you care has been arrested or charged with a felony DUI, misdemeanor DUI, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving while intoxicated, it is imperative to hire a California DUI defense attorney like the skilled Orange County DUI defense Attorney at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti who have the deep knowledge in DUI law and fight aggressively for your rights and freedom. To seek the most qualified criminal defense for your felony DUI charges, contact our skilled Southern California Criminal Defense lawyer and Orange County DUI defense Attorney immediately at 714-530-9690 for a free consultation or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com.
