Arrested for Vehicular Homicide in Broward County? Speak With a Defense Attorney Now.

Being arrested for vehicular homicide in Broward County is frightening, especially when someone has died. An arrest starts a criminal case, but it is not a conviction. This page explains the charge, the first court steps and the evidence that often matters, so you know what to expect and what to ask.

What a vehicular homicide arrest means in Broward County

Vehicular homicide is a Florida crime where a person’s reckless driving causes another person’s death. Florida’s vehicular homicide statute defines it as killing a human being, or an unborn child by any injury to the mother, caused by another person operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

The base offense is a second-degree felony. It becomes a first-degree felony in certain cases. One example is when the driver knew or should have known a crash happened and failed to give information and render aid. Another is when the driver has a prior conviction under listed statutes.

Being arrested and being formally charged are separate steps in a criminal case. It does not mean a judge or jury has found anything. The case moves through the local court system, and the prosecutor decides which charges to file. The crash facts and the driver’s conduct shape every step. The victim’s family, investigators and the state attorney’s office all play a part.

Vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide: which label applies?

The charge written in the arrest papers controls the case. The name people use in conversation does not. Families sometimes use everyday names for a charge, so the exact wording on the charging papers matters when you talk with a lawyer.

A crash case may also involve a DUI charge. Florida’s DUI statute covers driving when normal faculties are impaired by alcohol or drugs. A DUI charge is separate from vehicular homicide, and a case can include both.

The penalty range depends on the facts of the crash and the exact charges filed.

Bring the arrest report and charging language to your first meeting with a lawyer. Keeping a written record of the case number, the court and any scheduled dates can be useful when you speak with a lawyer. These details help a lawyer read the case quickly.

The first 48 hours: booking, first appearance and bond

Florida requires a judge to see an arrested person within 24 hours of arrest, unless the person was already released lawfully. The first appearance rule sets that timing. Booking comes first. It includes fingerprints, photos, a property inventory and jail intake.

At first appearance, the judge must tell the person the charge and give a copy of the complaint. The judge must also say the person has a right to communicate with counsel, family or friends. If the person has a lawyer or can afford one, the judge must allow reasonable time to send for counsel.

Bond is where most families feel the pressure. The Florida bail statute says the court weighs the nature of the offense, any record, family ties, length of residence, employment, financial resources and mental condition. How long someone stays in custody turns on the bond decision. A lawyer can speak to the court about release at this stage.

If the court releases a defendant, conditions may apply. The pretrial release statute allows conditions such as keeping a job, reporting regularly or avoiding excessive alcohol. pretrial release statute

What to say, what to avoid and the blood test

The safest first step is to ask for a lawyer before answering police questions. Keep the request short and clear. Don’t discuss the crash on phone calls, text messages or social media. Those words can be repeated later.

Blood tests come up often in these cases. If an officer has probable cause to believe an impaired driver caused a death or serious bodily injury, the officer must require a blood test. Under the Florida blood test statute, the officer may use reasonable force if needed. Blood test results are released on request to a defense attorney in connection with a DUI case.

Leaving the scene adds its own risk. Under the Florida leaving-the-scene statute, a driver in a crash that causes death must stop and remain at the scene.

Crash scene evidence often includes vehicle damage, witness statements and toxicology results. A lawyer reviews all of it, including what the police collected and how.

What criminal defense covers in these cases

Criminal defense means testing the state’s case from start to finish. The work usually starts with the arrest report, the charging papers and the police reports. A lawyer then reviews medical and toxicology records, video and vehicle data.

Early on, a lawyer may talk with the prosecutor about the charges and release. A lawyer may also argue for bond or release conditions before the judge. If the case moves forward, the work can include pretrial motions that challenge evidence. It can also include trial preparation.

The defense also looks closely at how the crash happened. The timing of events, the road conditions and what the evidence actually shows all matter.

A separate civil claim may also exist. Florida’s vehicular homicide statute states that a right of action for civil damages exists for all deaths it describes. That claim is a separate matter from the criminal case. This firm handles criminal defense, so a civil claim may need a different lawyer.

Why Patrick Wilson Law for a Broward County case

Patrick Wilson Law, PLLC is a Miami criminal defense firm. It serves Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Keys. The firm concentrates in DUI, domestic violence, sexual battery, vehicular homicide and related criminal defense.

Patrick David Wilson is the lawyer responsible for this page. Sahara Fonseca is also one of the firm’s lawyers. Our team includes support staff who help keep court dates and case records organized.

The firm works with first-time offenders, non-citizens and licensed professionals whose careers may be affected by a charge. For a Broward family, that means one Miami-based firm that handles the criminal side of these cases.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to the questions families ask most after a fatal crash arrest.

Talk with Patrick Wilson Law about the arrest

If someone you love was arrested for vehicular homicide, the days ahead can feel overwhelming. You may be scared, grieving or worried about a job or family. You don’t have to sort out the first steps alone. Call 786-761-1719 or leave us a message to set up your free, confidential first consultation. Bring the arrest papers, bond information and any court dates.