A charge of negligent homicide can unexpectedly devastate your life in an instant. In many cases, these charges arise from mistakes or lapses in judgment that could happen to anyone. The devastating effect of a momentary oversight can lead to severe legal consequences and lasting emotional trauma. For many, this charge is not just a legal battle but a profound personal crisis that threatens their future, relationships, and mental well-being. Hiring a dependable and compassionate defense attorney is a lifeline in such a pressing moment.
If you or a loved one is facing negligent homicide charges in Phoenix, you are not alone. Attorney Charity Clark understands the profound impact these charges can have and is dedicated to providing the expert legal support you need. With a focus on personalized attention and a superior understanding of Arizona law, she is committed to helping support you in this difficult time. Contact Charity Clark Law today for a free case evaluation and take the first step toward protecting your rights and rebuilding your life.
Negligent homicide, as defined under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1102, occurs when a person causes the death of another through criminal Negligence. Unlike more severe homicide charges, negligent homicide does not involve intent to kill. Instead, it consists of a failure to recognize and act upon a significant risk that leads to someone's death. Typical scenarios include fatal car accidents due to reckless driving, workplace accidents due to safety violations, or failing to secure dangerous animals that cause fatal injuries.
To be found guilty of negligent homicide in Arizona, the prosecution must prove four main points. Here's what they mean with some easy-to-understand examples:
Duty of Care:
Duty of Care occurs when the defendant is legally responsible for preventing harm to others. For example, a construction manager must ensure the safety of workers and passersby by following safety rules.
Breach of Duty:
Breach of duty is when the person accused of the crime fails to fulfill their duty of care through careless actions or inactions. An example is when a construction manager ignores safety regulations and leaves dangerous equipment unsecured, resulting in an accident.
Causation:
Causation means when the breach of duty directly causes the death of another person. For example, if the construction manager if an unsecured piece of equipment fell and killed a worker, the failure to secure the equipment caused the fatality.
Criminal Negligence:
Criminal Negligence occurs when the defendant's actions show a significant lack of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in the same situation.
For example, a reasonable construction manager would follow all safety protocols to prevent accidents, making the failure to secure dangerous equipment a major lack of care.
Negligent homicide is classified as a Class 4 felony in Arizona. While it is a lesser charge compared to other forms of homicide, it still carries severe penalties, including:
Restitution: Courts often order convicted individuals to pay restitution to the victim's family, covering funeral costs, medical expenses, and other related losses.
Charity Clark is one of the smartest attorneys I’ve ever met. She is aggressive, intelligent, and not afraid to fight for you. Her trial skills are unmatched. She knows how to handle a jury and argues the law like a champ. She will champion her client until the end and achieves real results.
Charity was amazing and took care of everything. She answered all my questions quickly and was so polite. They took care of my case with ease and definitely took a load off my shoulders. Not only did they both do great work they got the response from the court we were hoping for. Charity is "THE BEST".
If you or a loved one is facing negligent homicide charges in Arizona, you should contact Charity Clark Law right away. With her personalized approach and thorough understanding of Arizona's legal system, Charity Clark carefully analyzes your case to build a powerful defense. Phoenix criminal defense attorney Charity Clark is dedicated to defending your rights and protecting your future.
Contact Charity Clark Law today for a free case evaluation and discover how we can help defend your rights. We serve clients in Tempe, Phoenix, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, and throughout Maricopa and Pinal Counties. Additionally, we accept cases in Yavapai, Pima, and Coconino Counties.
