Vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter in Florida are possible charges after a traffic accident results in death. The primary difference concerns whether the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle while impaired. If the driver facing charges is found guilty of driving under the influence, they are charged with vehicular manslaughter. If alcohol was not a contributing factor in the crash, the driver is charged with vehicular homicide.
Of the two charges, vehicular manslaughter comes with a harsher penalty: a convicted driver must serve a mandatory minimum prison sentence of four years. A conviction for vehicular homicide is not accompanied by any mandatory minimum sentencing, which means that a Tampa vehicular homicide attorney can make a significant difference to the amount of time served if the driver is convicted.