Carmel Reckless Homicide Attorney
In Indiana, reckless homicide is defined as the killing of another human being through reckless conduct. Reckless homicide is charged as a felony. Matters coming before Hamilton County prosecutors and judges are taken very seriously and are prosecuted vigorously. When you’re charged with reckless homicide, your freedom, your reputation, and your future are at stake. A Carmel reckless homicide lawyer can assist you in your case.
About The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C.
Our attorneys have been recognized as among the most qualified criminal trial lawyers in the state. Five of our lawyers are certified criminal trial lawyers by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. There are only six Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists in Indiana, and five are here at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C.
At The Criminal Defense Team, each reckless homicide case is assigned a team of two lawyers and a paralegal. This team approach allows for multiple reviews of discovery and evidence while maintaining a collaborative strategy in the courtroom. Not only does our team have decades of experience each, but one of our attorneys is a former prosecutor with extensive experience in major felonies and homicides.
Our former prosecutor knows how the State thinks when building and prosecuting serious cases. Together, we bring over 100 years of experience to each case. Our criminal defense lawyers focus on defending serious felony cases across Hamilton County and Central Indiana. We frequently handle cases at the Hamilton County Judicial Center, located at 1 Hamilton County Square in Noblesville, near Carmel.
Indiana’s Reckless Homicide Laws
According to Indiana Code section 35-42-1-5, a person commits reckless homicide by causing the death of another through reckless behavior. Reckless homicide is generally charged as a Level 5 Felony. If a deadly weapon is involved, the offense could be charged at a higher felony level.
The distinction between acting intentionally and recklessly, as outlined in Indiana Code § 35-41-2-2, can determine whether someone is charged with manslaughter or the more severe reckless homicide. The prosecutor must prove that you acted in reckless disregard as opposed to accidentally causing someone’s death.
Crime Data
According to the FBI’s Reported Crimes in the Nation figures, there were an expected 16,935 murders, including non-negligent manslaughter, in the country in 2024, a 14.9% drop from the 2023 projection. In 2024, there were roughly 5.0 killings for every 100,000 inhabitants.
Firearms, motor vehicles, and physical altercations can sometimes lead to reckless homicide charges. Factually, some reckless homicide cases can fit into other criminal charges like involuntary manslaughter. Depending on the facts and mental state involved, the State could charge either or both.
What Happens During a Reckless Homicide Case
When a reckless homicide occurs, law enforcement responds to the scene to investigate. Detectives will interview witnesses and gather any forensic evidence, including video surveillance and phone records. In motor vehicle-related deaths, crash reconstructionists may be utilized. Firearms will usually require ballistics testing and trajectory analysis.
Prosecutors must prove that you caused the death and did so through reckless conduct. Often, these cases involve showing what occurred in a matter of seconds and proving the defendant was aware of a substantial risk at the time. An experienced defense from a Carmel reckless homicide attorney can help to discredit this theory.
Our lawyers can comb through police reports, forensic evidence, witness interviews, body camera footage, and consult with professionals on their findings. Police investigations can often lead to thousands of pieces of evidence. Two attorneys and a paralegal work on each reckless homicide case, making sure we have the resources to go through each piece of discovery.
Possible Penalties
The penalty for a Level 5 Felony reckless homicide conviction includes a potential prison sentence and additional penalties. You could be sentenced to years in prison with additional time on probation. A felony conviction can impact your life long after you serve any sentence.
When someone dies, emotions are high. Prosecutors will often try to use this to the State’s advantage by seeking enhancement or pushing for plea agreements. Cases that involve firearms or occur in public places will often attract media attention as well. You’ll need an attorney who plans for all possible outcomes.
Common Defense Strategies
Because reckless homicide cases are fact-specific, so are the defenses. Oftentimes, the defense centers on whether the State can prove your conduct was reckless. Some defenses include:
- Arguing the State did not prove you acted recklessly
- Investigating and arguing against causation or possible intervening events
- Investigating and disproving forensic evidence or crash reconstruction
- Filing motions to suppress evidence or statements obtained in violation of your rights
Our attorneys sit down and discuss every possible defense strategy. We know how the state will view the case. A former prosecutor with experience in major felony and homicide cases works at our firm. We plan for the prosecution’s arguments and have solutions prepared.
Hire a Reckless Homicide Lawyer
Similar to how you wouldn’t just hire any doctor for your medical issues and you would hire a specialist, you would do the same for your legal issues.
You should hire a reckless homicide lawyer as soon as possible. You may be contacted by law enforcement to provide a statement or to be interviewed. You do not have to speak to law enforcement until you have spoken with an attorney. Any time you speak to law enforcement about your case, you could hurt your defense.
An attorney can contact law enforcement on your behalf and advocate for your rights to be protected during any investigation. Your attorney can help preserve evidence that may be beneficial to your case and consult with professionals if necessary. The sooner you have an attorney, the sooner they can begin developing your defense strategy.
Contact The Criminal Defense Team Today
Hiring a reckless homicide attorney is one of the most important decisions you make and it often has one of the biggest impacts on your defense. Not only are you facing a homicide level felony, but when someone dies, emotions and stakes are high. You need experienced lawyers who aren’t afraid to litigate and try cases. You want a firm with the resources to handle complex litigation, witnesses, and extensive discovery.
Indiana is home to only six Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists, and five of them are on our team. If you’ve been charged with reckless homicide in Carmel, trial experience and credentials make a difference. Our teamwork philosophy, resources to handle extensive discovery, and over 100 years of combined experience equip us to handle serious charges aggressively and skillfully. Contact us today for a consultation.
*Andrew Baldwin, Kathie Perry, Maxwell Wiley, Kelly Pyle, and Michael C. Cunningham are Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists, as certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Find out why having a Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialist as your defense lawyer is important here.