For two weeks, Demetrio Duarte led a legal team in a two week trial to fight for the rights of a single mom who made a tragic decision. While having an acquittal is always best, the jury in this case found Mr. Duarte’s client to be guilty of involuntary manslaughter and intoxication assault. “How horrible is it to live with knowing you killed someone? What greater punishment can you give someone beyond the self-inflicted punishment of a life of guilt?” These questions were posed to a jury after the plea bargain offer was for 15 years in prison.
Accident or Crime?
Last week, I tried a case where a client was accused of four crimes stemming from one auto accident. The charges included intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. Our client was accused of drinking, driving, and then causing an “accident” because of intoxication. Unfortunately, lots of people die in auto collisions or “accidents.” Drivers run red lights, fail to stop at…