New York man faces a variety of charges include vehicular assault

Knowing what to do when facing criminal charges is important for any accused individual to understand. In a New York community north of the Bridgehampton area, a 20-year old man was recently indicted on 60 criminal counts related to an alleged police chase that resulted in a car crash and the deaths of two individuals. The man is facing a long list of charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, manslaughter and second degree murder.

Additional charges the man is facing include reckless endangerment, speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, running a stop sign and property damage charges. Part of the long list of charges also includes theft and child endangerment charges, as well as driving under the influence of drugs. Facing any criminal charges, especially those as serious and vehicular assault or vehicular homicide is serious and may be overwhelming. Penalties and consequences can be severe.

Because of the serious nature of the potential penalties facing individuals accused of impaired driving and other related criminal offenses, it is important to understand the rights and protections accused individuals enjoy. Accused individuals have the right to present a criminal defense. A strong criminal defense strategy can include challenging evidence based on several different grounds. For instance, authorities are required to follow certain procedures to protect accused individuals and if those procedures are violated, it may be possible to challenge the evidence against the accused party. In addition, evidence such as blood or breath tests may also be challenged if not properly collected, handled or processed.

Facing criminal charges can be alarming which is why it is important to understand that is not the end of the story. A criminal defense strategy can be developed and can include challenges to evidence or negotiations with prosecutors that may all help to, depending on the circumstances, reduce or eliminate the charges the accused party is facing.

Source: WPTZ.com, “Grand jury indicts Sisto on 60 counts,” Alison Carey, Dec. 30, 2014