Quote:
Originally Posted by bdubbs
What's the longest this scumbag can be locked up for if found guilty, lawyers/legal experts?
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The major indictments are:
First Degree aggravated manslaughter carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years in NJ
2nd Degree vehicular homicide carries a sentence of 5 to 10 years in NJ
He is charged twice, once for each brother.
I am not a lawyer but i believe the lighter charge of vehicular homicide is a safety net for the prosecution. It is there so that if the jury or judge believes the prosecution has not met the burden that Higgins committed aggravated manslaughter, they can still find him guilty of vehicular homicide. It is unlikely he will be sentenced for both IMO.
So if he is guilty of aggravated manslaughter x2 and the judge rules the sentences be served consecutively, he is looking at a maximum of 60 years.
I suspect he rejected the 35 year offer because he is hoping that he only gets found guilty of vehicular homicide which would be a maximum of 20 years.
edit:
He could also hope the judge gives him closer to the minimum 2x10 years if he is found guilty of vehicular homicide