Im being charged with Vehicular Assault

[ThirteenthCurve]

Ok, I live in Washington. just to get that goin. anyway...onto the story of the incident.

I was driving w/ a friend in my car, following another car that had 3 girls in it and 1 guy(the driver). we were all going to go hangout with them. We came to a stop sign. went, and i passed him, got up to about 70-80(the popo are saying around 100, friend in my car said less than 100, so in the report its under 100), this left him way behind me. I then coasted down to speed, again around 60(report says 70). He then passes me doing 100(maybe over, says this in the report), looses controll and crashes his car. One of the girls in the car has a scar on her face and this is where the vehicular assault comes in. Also in the report, he said we were racing, which it could look like, but we were not.

What i DONT get...how can they charge ME with vehicular assault? I just had my first hearing today, basicly getting things set. Im being tried as a juvienile(not spelled right i know), i turn 18 wednesday tho. Im not sure if we should go with the appointed atorney or get a new one?

lets leave this at that, please give me some advice. specially on how they can charge me when I didnt even wreck the car, all i did was help them after they crashed.

 

[Happy Trails]

Ok, I live in Washington. just to get that goin. anyway...onto the story of the incident.

I was driving w/ a friend in my car, following another car that had 3 girls in it and 1 guy(the driver). we were all going to go hangout with them. We came to a stop sign. went, and i passed him, got up to about 70-80(the popo are saying around 100, friend in my car said less than 100, so in the report its under 100), this left him way behind me. I then coasted down to speed, again around 60(report says 70). He then passes me doing 100(maybe over, says this in the report), looses controll and crashes his car. One of the girls in the car has a scar on her face and this is where the vehicular assault comes in. Also in the report, he said we were racing, which it could look like, but we were not.

What i DONT get...how can they charge ME with vehicular assault? I just had my first hearing today, basicly getting things set. Im being tried as a juvienile(not spelled right i know), i turn 18 wednesday tho. Im not sure if we should go with the appointed atorney or get a new one?

lets leave this at that, please give me some advice. specially on how they can charge me when I didnt even wreck the car, all i did was help them after they crashed.

RCW 46.61.522
Vehicular assault -- Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of vehicular assault if he or she operates or drives any vehicle;

(a) In a reckless manner and causes substantial bodily harm to another; or

(b) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, as defined by RCW 46.61.502, and causes substantial bodily harm to another; or

(c) With disregard for the safety of others and causes substantial bodily harm to another.

(2) Vehicular assault is a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(3) As used in this section, "substantial bodily harm" has the same meaning as in RCW 9A.04.110.


RCW 9A.20.021
Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after.
(1) Felony. Unless a different maximum sentence for a classified felony is specifically established by a statute of this state, no person convicted of a classified felony shall be punished by confinement or fine exceeding the following:
(b) For a class B felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of ten years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of twenty thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine.

I would think about getting a good lawyer.

 

[CdwJava]

You may not think it is racing, but even in my state this would almost certainly be a "speed contest" which is the same thing.

As Happy Trails wrote - get a good lawyer.

- Carl

 

[ThirteenthCurve]

ok so how is it I can be held partly responsible for his mess up?

 

[Some Random Guy]

Perhaps we have to spell it out for you.

Two cars racing down the road at 100mph passing each other is being considered a "speed contest" or something similar. Somebody gets severely injured as a result of this tomfoolery. You are being held responsible because you are one of the participants in the speed contest, and were responsible for the situation in which she got injured.

 

[ThirteenthCurve]

ok...any thoughts on what i may have for an arguement?