Under Alabama law, a person may be charged with the following when a DUI is coupled with a death:
1) Murder
2) Manslaughter
3) Vehicular Homicide
4) Criminal Negligent Homicide

Alabama makes no distinction in degrees of Murder. Thus, someone charged with intentionally shooting someone is the same degree felony as a DUI murder.

Another challenge with Alabama law is there really isn’t much clarity in the different between murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide. I have seen people charged with murder and a different one charged with manslaughter with essentially the same facts. The charge is typically up to the police and the DAs office.

If convicted of murder a person is classified in prison with other people convicted of intentional murder. Moreover, the requirement to serve 85% of the sentence applies to one convicted of DUI homicide.

This murder charge can arise from someone leaving a Christmas party or having drinks with the guys while watching the game. White collar people think they are law abiding citizens who will never be charged with murder. Not true.

For example, a former cast member of Melrose Place was charged in New Jersey with Second Degree Vehicular Homicide over the July 4th weekend.

If you are charged with any DUI related offense make sure you hire an experienced DUI defense lawyer. Call Greg Yaghmai at Rutledge & Yaghmai.