Fishers Reckless Homicide Attorney
All criminal charges can be serious, but homicide charges are some of the highest stakes a person can face. A reckless homicide conviction can permanently alter the course of your life, so it is important to hire competent legal representation if you are facing such charges. If charges have been filed or if you think they will be soon, contact a Fishers reckless homicide lawyer to defend you.
Why Choose The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C.?
When your future hangs in the balance because of criminal charges, such as reckless homicide charges, a competent lawyer can be all that stands between freedom and lifelong consequences. We are The Criminal Defense Team, and we are equipped to help you challenge the charges against you.
At our firm, we are proud to employ five of Indiana’s six Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists. This certification comes from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and attorneys must pass a rigorous written exam, build significant experience at trial, and get recommendations from judges and peers in order to achieve it.
We also bring a unique perspective to our cases through one of our attorneys, who used to be a prosecutor on major felony and murder cases. This gives us insight regarding how a prosecutor might view a criminal trial, allowing us to anticipate moves the prosecution might make and prepare for them.
Our clients also enjoy around-the-clock access to a lawyer because we know that legal emergencies do not always occur at convenient times. At any time of the day or night, if one of our clients needs legal advice or assistance, we are available to help.
What Is Reckless Homicide?
According to Indiana law, reckless homicide is defined as causing the death of another human being through reckless actions. Importantly, reckless homicide does not involve any intent to kill. Rather, it entails actions that pose a significant danger and risk of serious injury or death, knowing that risk exists, and continuing the behavior anyway.
A wide variety of scenarios could lead to reckless homicide and subsequent charges, as there are myriad dangerous things a person could do without regard for safety. One common example is reckless driving. In 2024, there were 198 fatal crashes in Indiana that were caused or partially caused by speeding. If such an accident happened in a residential or crowded area and involved significant speeding, a driver might be charged with reckless homicide.
Sometimes, reckless homicide cases are associated with improper handling of firearms. Not taking gun safety seriously can have deadly consequences. If a person handles a gun carelessly and accidentally shoots someone else, reckless homicide charges could be filed against the person with the firearm.
Potential Penalties for Reckless Homicide in Indiana
Reckless homicide is charged as a Level 5 felony in Indiana. Felonies at this level are punishable by one to six years in prison. A judge also has the option to order the convicted person to pay a fine. For a Level 5 felony, the fine can be up to $10,000. Judges in Indiana have a significant amount of discretion when it comes to sentencing, and a judge may consider a person’s prior criminal record and any aggravating or mitigating factors when deciding on a penalty.
Hire a Reckless Homicide Lawyer
Reckless homicide charges can derail your life in permanent and far-reaching ways. Aside from the obvious potential consequences like jail time and fines, a felony conviction can disqualify you from certain kinds of employment or affect your ability to get approved for housing. One of the most important things you can do to help yourself in this situation is to hire a reckless homicide lawyer to defend you against your charges.
An experienced attorney can sometimes represent the difference between an acquittal and a conviction. From the beginning of your case, possibly even before charges are formally filed, your lawyer can help you gather your evidence, review the facts of your case, and understand where you stand from a legal perspective.
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between Reckless Homicide and Involuntary Manslaughter?
Reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter both involve causing the death of another human being without the intent to kill. The major difference is that involuntary manslaughter is committed in the course of committing another offense, such as assaulting someone and accidentally killing them, whereas reckless homicide only involves reckless behavior and disregard for danger.
How Much Does a Reckless Homicide Lawyer Cost in Fishers?
Whether you are in Fishers, Lebanon, or anywhere else in Indiana, you are likely to find a wide variety of rates for reckless homicide attorneys. Lawyers usually set their own hourly rates, and some also have other fees associated with their services. Most criminal defense attorneys require a retainer, which is an up-front deposit, to begin working for you.
What Factors Might Affect a Prison Sentence for Reckless Homicide?
Judges have a great deal of discretion in Indiana when deciding sentences. Reckless homicide, if uncomplicated, can result in a jail sentence of one to six years. Judges might consider factors such as the convicted person’s prior criminal record, or lack thereof, and whether they have expressed remorse for their actions when deciding a sentence.
What if the Reckless Homicide Incident Involved a Firearm?
If a reckless homicide incident involved a firearm, additional charges may be filed in the case. A person could be charged with both reckless homicide and firearm violations, which could result in more than one conviction and more than one sentence. Multiple sentences might run consecutively, one after the other, or concurrently, depending on what the judge decides.
Contact A Fishers Reckless Homicide Lawyer Today
If you are facing reckless homicide charges in Indiana, you need a seasoned defense attorney to help you protect your freedom and your reputation. At The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C., we are ready to rise to the occasion. Our Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists can help you navigate your legal challenges with confidence. Contact us today to get started.
Disclaimer: *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.