The penalties for vehicular manslaughter in Washington

Schedule a Free Consultation

 Posted on January 28, 2020 in Uncategorized

# The penalties for vehicular manslaughter in Washington | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart

![Image 1: The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/)

Does Your Situation Call For A Hero?

Call Us Today: [253-948-3586](tel:+1-253-948-3586)

Text Us Today:[253-442-7544](sms:+12534427544)

![Image 2: The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/)

You Need A Hero

[CALL](tel:+1-253-948-3586)

[Text](sms:+12534427544)

Your Freedom, Your Reputation, Our Mission

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Criminal Defense
  4. »
  5. The penalties for vehicular manslaughter in Washington

# The penalties for vehicular manslaughter in Washington

On Behalf of The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/ "Posts On Behalf of The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart") | Jan 27, 2020 | [Criminal Defense

According to FindLaw, when a person kills someone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the state of Washington declares it a homicide. Depending on the circumstances surrounding and leading up to the killing, the state may further classify a killing as murder or manslaughter. Manslaughter charges arise when the state believes the defendant had no intention of killing the victim, but when evidence suggests his or her actions were negligent or reckless enough that, had he or she acted appropriately, he or she could have prevented the incident.

Washington law defines vehicular homicideas the death of one person by a type of vehicle, such as a car, truck, motorcycle, SUV, bus or taxi. Per state law, the death need not be immediate; rather, it must occur within three years of the date of the incident and as the result of injuries sustained in the accident.

For the state to convict a driver of vehicular homicide, it must prove that the driver engaged in a negligent or reckless activity. Activities of negligent or reckless behavior include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, reckless driving or driving without care for the safety of others.

Washington classifies vehicular homicide as a class A felony. However, if a person has one or more previous DUI convictions or offenses on his or her record, the state will add an additional two years to the defendant’s sentence per offense, if convicted.

According toWashington Legislature RCW 46.61.521, a class A felony is the second most severe type of crime a person can commit, beneath only a felony. A class A felony carries a term of life imprisonment, a $50,000 fine or both.

Search for:

Search for:

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Get Your Life Back On Track With Our Help

Loading Form...

Contact Us

![Image 3: The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/)

Address:

1105 Tacoma Ave South

Suite A

Tacoma, WA 98402

Tacoma Office

Call Us Today:

[253-948-3586](tel:+1-253-948-3586)

Text Us Today:

[253-442-7544](sms:+12534427544)

Review Us

![Image 4](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/tacoma-criminal-defense-law-office/)

You need a respected and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. We will fight to protect your future.

© 2026 The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer| Site Map| Privacy Policy |Business Development Solutions by FindLaw

!Image 5: fb

╳

!Image 6

How can I help you?

!Image 7!Image 8

How can I help you?

How can I help you?

Welcome to The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart. What kind of matter can we assist you with?

How can I help you?

!Image 9: Intaker widget Avatar

Felony

Misdemeanor

Sex Crimes

Theft

Drug Charges

DUI Defense

Other Criminal Cases

Scroll

Powered byIntaker

Share this post:
As Seen On
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge

The first few hours after an arrest can be incredibly stressful, but they may also be incredibly important for your case. Anything you say during questioning could be used against you in court, even if police appear sympathetic to your circumstances. During this time, protecting your rights is absolutely critical. If you have been accused of a crime, do not hesitate to get in contact with a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can advise you on how to respond.

Attorney Michael Austin Stewart has decades of experience representing clients throughout Pierce County and the South Puget Sound in serious felony cases. When you work with our firm, your case will receive close attention from a seasoned trial attorney who will explore all of your options to fight the charges in court.

Proven experience representing clients in high-stakes criminal matters

When your freedom, reputation, or career is at risk, you need a respected and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. Attorney Michael Austin Stewart's successful case results speak to his diligence and willingness to fully investigate a charge. Across his 30-year career, he has obtained favorable outcomes for many clients, routinely securing sentencing terms well below the government's request as well as dismissals and not guilty verdicts.

Past case results are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Instead, they show the lengths we are willing to go to protect our clients. You only get one chance to protect your freedom and your name in a criminal case, so you should not settle for anything less than the best when looking for the right attorney.

scales

Case Results

Our firm has a demonstrated history of successes in criminal defense cases, frequently securing ideal outcomes through our fierce advocacy.

Felony DUI Dismissed

Achieved after court found no probable cause for the traffic stop

Felony Domestic Charges Dismissed

Secured after further investigation revealed death threats were falsified

Firearm Charge Dismissed

Achieved after it was revealed that the officer conducted a warrantless search without reasonable suspicion

Not Guilty Verdict in Rape Case

Defendant was completely exonerated after extensive cross-examination and arguments from defense

More Case Results

Reputable criminal defense trusted by local communities

Attorney Michael Austin Stewart has a reputation for being extremely tough in the courtroom while being approachable and personable with his clients. His main goal is to set you at ease while providing aggressive representation in court, taking a stand to protect your rights. We are available 24/7, as we remain in close communication with our clients in every case.

Our firm has also been recognized with many awards for our excellent client service and strong representation. Some of these accolades include placement in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, recognition as a Super Lawyer, and a 10.0 Avvo rating. We have also earned many 5-star reviews from clients we have personally helped through difficult situations, highlighting the trust we have built up across Tacoma and the wider community.

Strong counsel when you need it most

You can trust our firm to handle your case with the tact and care that it deserves. We know how to manage the media in cases that garner public attention—having taken on cases featured in CBS, The Washington Times, The Seattle Times, and other outlets—working to protect our clients' privacy as we build a careful defense. We also know how to navigate communication with police and prosecutors to minimize any possible risks.

arrowExplore more services
The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer

Focused on
the Best Case
Outcome

Whether you are facing property crime charges, allegations of violent crime, or sex crime accusations, our firm will seek the best possible outcome to your case. To accomplish this, we carry out in-depth investigations to uncover all of the relevant facts, allowing us to build a nuanced argument to present to the court. Attorney Michael Austin Stewart is a trial-tested criminal defense lawyer with the skills and legal knowledge to present a strong case on your behalf.

If you have any questions about how we can help with your situation, do not hesitate to reach out. Seeking early legal counsel is critical for making sure that you are fairly represented during the criminal proceedings.

arrSchedule a Free Consultation
scales

Verdict Spotlight

Felony DUI Dismissed

Achieved after court found no probable cause for the traffic stop

Felony Domestic Charges Dismissed

Secured after further investigation revealed death threats were falsified

Firearm Charge Dismissed

Achieved after it was revealed that the officer conducted a warrantless search without reasonable suspicion

Not Guilty Verdict in Rape Case

Defendant was completely exonerated after extensive cross-examination and arguments from defense

See More Verdicts

Award-Winning

Our firm has been honored with many awards for our exceptional criminal defense.

30+ Years of Experience

Attorney Michal Austin Stewart has decades of courtroom experience defending clients accused of felony crimes.

Free Consultations

We offer free consultations to any prospective clients with questions about a pending criminal case or investigation.