Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
Multiple charges often follow when someone is accused of a serious offense involving a fatal crash, each carrying its own penalties. However, the law does not allow prosecutors to stack overlapping charges for the same act. A recent decision from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court clarifies how courts must avoid imposing multiple punishments when offenses stem from the same event.
In a case decided in May 2025, the court considered whether a person convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal highway crash could also be punished for motor vehicle homicide and operating to endanger. The court ruled that the lower court erred by convicting the accused on all three counts, finding that the additional charges duplicated the involuntary manslaughter conviction. Those two lesser charges were vacated, while the manslaughter conviction and a separate conviction for driving without insurance were upheld.
This case is important for anyone facing multiple charges from a single incident. Prosecutors may file every possible charge during the early stages of a case, but not all of them can result in separate punishments. If you are charged with overlapping offenses, you may have legal grounds to challenge the sentence or the charges themselves.
What Involuntary Manslaughter Means Under Massachusetts Law
Involuntary manslaughter occurs when someone unintentionally causes the death of another person due to wanton or reckless conduct. It does not require intent to kill, but does involve a serious lapse in judgment or disregard for safety. In this case, the accused crashed into a parked State Police cruiser in the breakdown lane, causing the death of a trooper. The court agreed that the act met the legal definition of involuntary manslaughter, based on evidence of high-speed driving and disregard for safe operation.
This type of charge is serious. A conviction can lead to lengthy prison time, permanent loss of driving privileges, and lasting consequences in any future legal matter. However, it is still distinct from murder charges because it lacks intent. In many cases, the prosecution must rely on circumstantial evidence to prove recklessness, and defense strategies often focus on accident reconstruction, mechanical failure, or mitigating factors like road conditions.
Why Overlapping Charges Violate Legal Protections
The Massachusetts high court ruled that convicting the accused of both involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide for the same act was not legally permissible. Both charges involved the same victim and relied on the same facts. The court noted that the Legislature did not intend to allow separate punishments for offenses that merely represent different descriptions of the same conduct.
Similarly, the operating to endanger charge was tied to the same crash and could not stand alone once the more serious offense was proven. This decision reinforces an important protection for those accused of crimes: courts cannot punish a person more than once for the same event, even if the event technically fits more than one legal definition.
If you are facing a long list of charges, examining whether any of them duplicate others is critical. A qualified criminal defense attorney can file motions to dismiss overlapping counts or seek to vacate them after conviction. This may reduce both the charges you face and the potential sentence.
How to Respond When You Are Charged with a Serious Traffic-Related Offense
Crashes that lead to death or serious injury often result in criminal charges, especially when speeding, impairment, or vehicle condition is questioned. These cases move quickly, and statements made early in the process can affect the outcome. You should never assume that the facts speak for themselves or that cooperating fully will guarantee leniency.
Working with a criminal defense attorney from the start allows you to protect your rights, challenge weak evidence, and push back on overcharging attempts. Your lawyer can investigate the circumstances of the crash, request expert review, and evaluate whether multiple charges are legally justified.
Call the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy if You Are Facing Serious Criminal Charges
If you have been accused of a felony or misdemeanor offense concerning a traffic accident, you need strong legal representation to protect your future. The courts may attempt to impose charges beyond what the law allows. At the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy, we know how to identify improper charging strategies and fight for fair treatment under Massachusetts law.
Call (617) 367-0450 today to schedule a confidential consultation. Whether you are facing a manslaughter charge, a motor vehicle offense, or multiple overlapping counts, we are here to provide skilled and aggressive defense.