Dallas, TX asked in Wrongful Death for Texas

Q: My daughter was killed by a drunk & high driver. The DA on the case is not going to try the man for manslaughter.

They said my daughter was driving too fast and they think that the defense would beat them because of that. She was going 93 on impact the speed limit is 75 mph. They are only charging him with DWI & possession. I need to know if that's can be fought or not? Proof from the police reports prove he was all the way in her lane & hit her head on, killing her. How can they not try to charge him with manslaughter also? She deserves justice.

Related Topics:
3 Lawyer Answers

A: Because intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony, a District Attorney cannot pursue charges for intoxication manslaughter against an individual unless a grand jury indicts that individual. If your daughter was driving 93 mph, it may be difficult to persuade a grand jury that a collision with the other driver while your daughter was going 93 mph would not have been sufficient to kill her if the other driver had been sober.

A: I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. Your post is heartbreaking and I wish you and your family condolences. I can't speak for Texas criminal procedure, but in your pursuit for justice, I believe there are compelling issues that an experienced civil trial attorney would use in the civil case that follows. Although you would be confronted with the high speed of 93 miles per hour, a skilled and experienced civil trial attorney would raise the physics of two vehicles approaching on a roadway where the posted speed limit is 75 mph, making for a combined relative velocity of some 150 mph. Given the physics of that scenario in terms of vehicle speeds, the fact that your daughter was doing 93 instead of 75 becomes less signifcant. Good luck

A: You can't override the ADA even if it unfair. You can sue the drunk driver and the bar that they served them alcohol. I am sorry for you loss. .

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.