Top Emeryville, CA Involuntary Manslaughter Lawyers Near You

The Crime of Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter is the killing of a person without the intent to kill. This crime occurs when a person does not exercise reasonable care or acts negligently in causing the death of another. The amount of negligence required to fall under involuntary manslaughter is often determined by the law in the state where the death occurred.

Are You Facing Involuntary Manslaughter Charges?

If you are charged with involuntary manslaughter immediately contact an Emeryville criminal defense lawyer experienced in these cases. Although not as serious as voluntary manslaughter or murder, this is still a very serious crime. Your lawyer can help you and challenge the state’s evidence in aggressively defending you or he or she may negotiate a lesser sentence if you plead guilty.

When to Hire a Lawyer

It is in your best interest to get legal help early on in addressing your situation. There are times when hiring a lawyer quickly is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. It may also be in your best interest to have a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve suffered a serious injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

• Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
• Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
• Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
• Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

How much does it cost to hire an attorney?

In general, how much an attorney costs will often depend on these four factors: billing method and pricing structure, type of legal work performed, law firm prestige, and attorney experience. Depending on the legal issue you are facing, an attorney may bill you by the hour, settle on a flat fee, or enter into a contingency fee agreement. The type of legal work you need help with will also play a role in cost incurred.

Common legal terms explained

Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.