Tampa Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

Understanding Florida's Manslaughter Laws

Manslaughter is a form of murder that does not require any intent that someone be injured or killed. Most manslaughter cases are based upon the "culpable negligence" of the person charged. This means that the person charged with manslaughter is accused of acting in a negligent way that caused the death of another person. The thing that sets manslaughter apart from an accident in which someone dies is the level of negligence that is required for manslaughter. In a manslaughter charge the negligence must be "culpable." Culpable negligence requires the State to prove that the person charged acted in a way that shows "reckless disregard for human life", an entire lack of care, or "grossly careless disregard for the safety and welfare of the public."

Manslaughter charges are some of most complicated cases to defend. Frequently, a person charged with manslaughter believes they were acting reasonably when they used deadly force to defend themselves, or they were in some type of accident and don't believe their negligence contributed to the death of the victim. If you are in this situation do not wait for the police to finish their investigation before contacting an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney.

Examples of Possible Manslaughter

A person confronts you in a bar, gets in your face and calls you some rather unsavory things. You feel your personal space is being invaded and push the guy back in the chest. The guy goes and sits down and then a minute or two latter slumps over and dies from a stroke. You are charged with manslaughter. This same factual scenario occurred in the Tampa Bay area and resulted in manslaughter charges being filed by the State.

You're driving your car, minding your own business, and don't notice that the speed limit has changed from 45 mph to 30 mph. A drunk person decides to cross the street and you are unable to stop before hitting him. He dies six months latter from his injuries. The State charges you with vehicular manslaughter. If convicted the state sentencing guidelines require prison.

Early Intervention By Our Experienced Team

Early intervention by our defense team can significantly increase your chances of avoiding serious criminal charges. All efforts should be made prior to formal charges being filed by the State Attorney to minimize the damage by seeking lesser charges, reduced charges or having the charges dropped altogether. The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger is experienced at defending all types of murder and manslaughter charges. Attorney Tim Hessinger's 15 years of experience as a state prosecutor is utilized in every case to maximize each client's opportunity for a successful resolution.

Tim Hessinger has effectively handled thousands of criminal cases and has tried over 130 jury trials. We understand that in all criminal cases too much is on the line to leave any stone unturned. All efforts are made to obtain a successful resolution for each client; contact our Tampa criminal lawyer today to discuss your available options!