Understanding Reckless Homicide in Illinois

 Posted on December 19, 2019 in Homicide

Car accidents happen every day in Illinois. Many of these accidents are very minor and do not result in serious injuries. However, sometimes these crashes result in severe injuries and sometimes, even death. When one person causes the accident and another dies as a result, the driver may be found guilty of a felony. This is true when the driver’s negligent or reckless actions caused the accident and the resulting death. In Illinois, this is known as reckless homicide. Some drivers confuse this offense with reckless driving, but there are significant differences, including the penalties associated with them.

Differences Between Reckless Homicide and Reckless Driving

Reckless homicide and reckless driving both involve a driver acting negligently or recklessly while on the road. This means they show a blatant disregard for the safety of others. However, reckless homicide must involve a death for someone to be convicted of the offense. In fact, the Illinois statute governing reckless homicide also includes involuntary manslaughter.

A person charged with reckless homicide does not have to have intent to kill another person. In fact, if they do, they will likely be charged with murder instead of reckless homicide. Still, when a person takes the life of another, the law states they must be penalized for their actions.

Penalties for Reckless Homicide

Reckless homicide also has much harsher penalties than reckless driving. While reckless driving is usually considered a misdemeanor, reckless homicide is always charged as a felony.

A maximum fine of $25,000 can be laid regardless of whether the reckless homicide charge is considered a Class 2 or Class 3 felony. However, a Class 3 felony carries prison sentences of two to five years. A Class 2 felony carries a penalty of between three and 14 years in state prison.

Like any other criminal conviction, the penalties for reckless homicide can cause someone to lose their job, have their driving privileges revoked, prevent them from gaining employment, and from owning a firearm.

Defenses to Reckless HomicideLike any criminal offense, there are several defenses to reckless homicide charges. Some of the most common of these include self-defense and mistaken identity. Additionally, if the prosecution has insufficient evidence, they will also not be able to secure a conviction for the offense.

However, a very effective defense in reckless homicide is that it was truly an accident. When using this defense, drivers can show that they were not driving negligently or recklessly. For example, if a driver ran a red light and hit another car and died as a result, the driver of the vehicle they struck cannot be charged with reckless homicide because they were not driving recklessly.

Our Illinois Criminal Defense Attorney can Help With Your Charges

If you are facing charges of reckless homicide or any other traffic offense, ou r skilled Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney can help. At the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley, our attorney knows you have rights even after being charged, and he fights to ensure they are upheld at all times. He also has the necessary experience to craft a solid defense for your case and give you the best chance of a positive outcome. If you need help, call us today at 847-253-3100 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K9-3