A murder or manslaughter conviction, depending on the degree, could put you in prison for life, or worse, put you on death row. Involuntary manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter are punishable by two and half to five years in prison.
But being charged with homicide or manslaughter is not the same as a conviction. You still have rights until you are proven guilty and one of those rights is to an attorney who can help you prepare a strong case to defend your freedom.
