California's DUI Murder Charges
Last month authorities arrested a Philadelphia man for his eighth DUI after he killed a man and seriously injured the man’s wife and daughter while driving his car on the wrong side of the highway. He reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .229 at the time.
The man was indicted on charges of aggravated manslaughter. Lucky for him, he wasn’t driving in California at the time, or he surely would have been charged with murder.
This is because California courts permit prosecutors to convict repeat DUI offenders for second degree murder under certain circumstances. Known as “Watson” murder or DUI second degree murder, this charge is alleged when prosecutors believe that an individual has special knowledge about the dangers of drinking and driving…and knowingly acts with disregard for that fact.
In theory, these charges could be filed against an individual who suffered at least one prior DUI. The fact that this man was involved in seven prior DUI incidents would surely make him a candidate for this charge.
Unlike typical California DUI manslaughter charges, “Watson” murder or DUI second degree murder charges carry a potential lifetime prison sentence.
