Vehicular Assault: When an Accident Leads to Criminal Charges

In this episode of Reasonable Doubt, veteran criminal defense attorney James Hopkins breaks down what happens when a tragic accident crosses the line into criminal territory. Drawing on over three decades of courtroom experience, Hopkins explains the difference between ordinary negligence and criminal negligence, how intoxication and recklessness can elevate charges, and why not every fatal crash is a crime. He also shares how mechanical failures, medical emergencies, and faulty tests can shape a defense, and why speaking too soon after an accident can cause serious legal damage. With insight from both sides of the courtroom — prosecution and defense — Hopkins reveals what really determines whether an accident leads to charges, and how justice is pursued in complex vehicular assault cases.