North Dakota's Vehicular Homicide and Manslaughter Laws and Penalties

In North Dakota, causing the death of another person while operating a vehicle can lead to serious criminal charges. This article covers North Dakota's vehicular homicide and manslaughter laws and the penalties you'll face for a conviction.

How Does North Dakota Define Vehicular Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide?

Depending on the circumstances, a North Dakota motorist who causes the death of another person while behind the wheel could face vehicular homicide, negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder charges. Here's how North Dakota defines these four offenses.

North Dakota's Vehicular Homicide Law

Criminal vehicular homicide is defined as causing the death of another person while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in violation of North Dakota's DUI laws. A person who has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more or is impaired by drugs or alcohol to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving is considered "under the influence."

North Dakota's Negligent Vehicular Homicide Law

A motorist can be convicted of negligent homicide for causing the death of another person while driving in a "negligent" manner. Basically, a person acts with negligence by unknowingly doing or failing to do something that creates a substantial risk to others. The risk must be of such nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would use in like circumstances.

North Dakota's Vehicular Manslaughter Law

A motorist who kills another person while driving "recklessly" can be charged with manslaughter. Basically, a person acts with recklessness by knowingly doing or failing to do something that creates a substantial risk to others; in other words, the motorist is aware of but disregards the risk. The risk must also be of such nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would use in like circumstances.

North Dakota's Vehicular Murder Law

A motorist can be convicted of murder for causing the death of another person while driving in a manner that shows "extreme indifference to the value of human life."

The difference between manslaughter and murder is a matter of degree. And the dividing line isn't always clear. However, in general, murder requires proof of a more culpable mental state than recklessness (the mental state for manslaughter). So, in theory, the more egregious the motorist's actions, the more likely a jury is to convict of murder.

North Dakota's Vehicular Manslaughter and Homicide Penalties

The consequences of a driving-related homicide conviction depend on the circumstances. However, the possible penalties for each type of offense are described below.

Penalties for Vehicular Homicide in North Dakota

Vehicular homicide is a class A felony. A conviction carries three to 20 years in prison and a maximum of $20,000 in fines.

Penalties for Negligent Vehicular Homicide in North Dakota

Negligent homicide is a class C felony. Convicted motorists face up to five years in prison and a maximum of $10,000 in fines.

Penalties for Vehicular Manslaughter in North Dakota

Manslaughter is a class B felony. A conviction carries up to ten years in prison and a maximum $20,000 in fines.

Penalties for Vehicular Murder in North Dakota

Murder is generally a class AA felony. Those convicted of murder are looking at up to life in prison.

License Revocation for Vehicular Homicide and Manslaughter Convictions in North Dakota

All motorists convicted of a driving-related unlawful killing are looking at a license revocation of up to a year.

Talk to a North Dakota Criminal Defense Attorney

Murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, and vehicular homicide are serious criminal charges. If you've been arrested for a driving-related killing—or any other crime—get in contact with a criminal defense attorney right away. The facts of every case are different. An experienced defense attorney can explain how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on the best plan of action.