NRS § 484B.657 – “Vehicular Manslaughter” – Nevada Law

Under Nevada Revised Statutes § 484B.657, the crime of vehicular manslaughter occurs when a motorist “proximately causes the death of another person through an act or omission that constitutes simple negligence.”

Vehicular manslaughter is generally treated as a misdemeanor in Nevada unless it involves driving recklessly or driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. A misdemeanor manslaughter conviction can lead to up to 6 months in jail, up to $1000.00 in fines, and a one-year driver’s license suspension.

“Simple negligence” is failing to act as a reasonable driver. It does not require maliciousness or intention to harm. Just a momentary lapse in judgment that ends in tragedy.

Consequently, NRS 484B.657 carries relatively lax punishments. Sometimes judges order just a fine and no jail.

Nevada’s penalties for causing serious car accidents are much steeper whenever drugs or alcohol are involved:

Vehicular crimes causing injury or death	Nevada penalties
Vehicular homicide (NRS 484C.130): Fatal DUI following three prior DUIs	Category A felony: 25 years or life in prison
DUI causing injury or death (NRS 484C.430): Causing a fatality or substantial bodily injury from drunk or drugged driving	Category B felony: 2 – 20 years in prison and $2,000 to $5,000
Reckless driving causing injury or death (NRS 484B.653): Driving with willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property (no alcohol or drugs)	Category B felony: 1 – 6 years in prison and $2,000 to $5,000
Vehicular manslaughter (NRS 484B.657): Proximately causing another’s death by driving with “simple negligence” (no alcohol or drugs)	Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000

In this article, our Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers answer frequently asked questions about vehicular manslaughter laws:

• 1. What are examples of vehicular manslaughter?
• 2. What are the penalties?
• 3. How can a Las Vegas vehicular manslaughter lawyer help?
• 4. Can the record get sealed?
• 5. What are the immigration consequences?
• 6. Is vehicular homicide different?

1. What are examples of vehicular manslaughter?

Vehicular manslaughter results from the driver‘s negligence.¹ Five examples of negligent behavior that may turn deadly are:

1. Daydreaming and forgetting to stop at a red light or stop sign;
2. Speeding slightly over the limit;
3. Driving without realizing the motor vehicle’s taillights are broken;
4. Driving while eating; or
5. Breaking too fast

Most of the time, these negligent behaviors do not cause accidents. Drivers have close calls all the time with no consequences. But when a slip-up causes a fatal car wreck or pedestrian knockdown, the driver may face vehicular manslaughter charges.

1.1. Fatal reckless driving

Vehicular manslaughter is a less serious charge than reckless driving causing death (NRS 484B.653). Recklessness is a willful disregard for others’ safety. An example would be going twice the speed limit or plowing through a school zone.

Reckless driving is more blameworthy than negligent driving. That is why fatal reckless driving is prosecuted as a felony.² Defense attorneys always try to get fatal reckless driving charges reduced to vehicular manslaughter.

2. What are the penalties?

Vehicular manslaughter is generally prosecuted as a misdemeanor in Nevada. The potential sentencing includes up to 6 months in jail, fines of up to $1,000.00, and a one-year driver’s license suspension. (It may be possible to do community service instead of paying the fine.)

The sentence may be doubled if the accident occurred in a work zone. ^{3 4}

Depending on the case, the defendant may be able to avoid jail.

2.1. Driver’s license consequences

An NRS 484B.657 conviction also carries a one-year driver’s license suspension.⁵ But the defendant may be able to drive after six months on a restricted license.⁶

3. How can a Las Vegas vehicular manslaughter lawyer help?

A criminal defense attorney would first investigate the case in search of all the available evidence that could show the defendant was not at fault for the accident. Valuable evidence would include:

• Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert;
• Surveillance video from the time of the accident;
• Eyewitnesses;
• Weather reports;
• Car maintenance records;
• Road condition reports; and
• The drivers’ medical records

Then the Las Vegas vehicular manslaughter lawyer would put together the best defense strategy based on the evidence. Six possible defenses include that:

1. The victim was more at fault than the defendant;
2. The defendant had an unforeseeable medical episode that caused him/her to lose control at no fault of his/her own;
3. The defendant was not in actual physical control of any vehicle at the time of the accident;
4. The car malfunctioned at no fault of the defendant;
5. A third party was at fault; or
6. Neither party was at fault, and the event was a blameless accident.

The prosecution has the burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. So the defense attorney would meet with the prosecutors to try to show them that their case is too weak to sustain a conviction. If the prosecutors see they cannot win, they may drop the criminal charges before the case can reach trial.

Even though vehicular manslaughter is only a misdemeanor, defendants are strongly advised to retain legal counsel to fight the charge. Having a conviction comes up on background checks, which could then hurt the defendant’s future employment prospects.

4. Can the record get sealed?

Yes. NRS 484B.657 cases are sealable under Nevada law. Convictions can be sealed one year after the case ends.⁷ If the case gets dismissed, there is no waiting period.⁸

The record seal process takes up to one year. Learn how to seal Nevada criminal records.

5. What are the immigration consequences?

Vehicular manslaughter does not qualify as a crime of moral turpitude or an aggravated felony. Therefore, it is probably not a deportable offense.

However, immigration law is in an uncertain state. The rules are constantly being rewritten. So non-citizens charged with any crime should consult with an attorney right away.

6. Is vehicular homicide different?

Yes. It is a separate and unrelated crime.

Vehicular homicide (NRS 484C.130) is a fatal DUI following three prior DUI convictions. It is a category A felony with a possible life sentence in state prison.

After a fatal car accident, the least serious crime the driver can face is vehicular manslaughter. The most serious is a vehicular homicide charge.

Learn more about Nevada DUI charges and felony DUI charges.

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