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Practice AreasHomicide
There are a number of homicide offenses. Below are a listing of homicide offenses and more information on each.
Reckless homicide
Negligent homicide
Vehicular manslaughter
Aggravated vehicular homicide
- Operating a vehicle (plane, boat, car, snowmobile, etc.) under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Flying a plane without a license when there are passengers
- Flying an aircraft recklessly or carelessly
- Tampering with or removing airport or landing field runway markings
- Driving recklessly, whether in a construction zone or not
There is no criminal case more sensitive or consequences more serious than when a person loses their life. Depending on the nature and severity of the allegations, homicide can be charged as a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail to a first degree felony, punishable by up to 11 years in prison.
Simply put, if you are convicted of homicide, it will be on your criminal background for the rest of your life. No matter what the circumstances were in your case, your life will never be the same. Therefore, it is critical that you give the defense of your homicide charge the highest level of importance.
A homicide attorney with the Columbus Criminal Defense team will take an aggressive and comprehensive approach when representing clients charged with homicide. First and foremost, we will figure out what mistakes the police or detectives made during their investigation, whether your arrest was lawful, if there were any problems in the collection, storage or testing of evidence and any other legal issues that can be raised on your behalf.
We do this by requesting discovery from the prosecutor and by conducting our own investigation. The discovery will generally consist of police reports, additional investigative notes, lab reports and potentially video or audio.
Our investigation will consist of going to the scene, interviewing all witnesses and potentially hiring a private detective for further investigation. As our client, you will receive a copy of everything received from the prosecutor and our investigation for your review
Based on the legal weaknesses in the State of Ohio’s case and any other mitigating factors, we will negotiate the best possible plea available with the prosecutor for you to consider in resolving your case.
If your case cannot be resolved satisfactorily with a plea, it would then proceed to a motion hearing (a hearing where the judge issues a ruling on an evidentiary issue) or a trial to the judge or jury, depending on the circumstances.
For nearly ten years, the Columbus Criminal Defense team has successfully represented clients charged with criminal offenses from minor misdemeanors to first degree felonies. That extensive previous experience will enable us to better help you.
Are you in trouble? Contact us.
If you’ve been charged with any of these offenses, it’s important to know what you’re up against. If you have any questions left unanswered by this page, or if you need a competent, experienced homicide attorney to fight for you in court, please contact us at (614) 500-3836 or via email at advice@columbuscriminalattorney.com.
Penalties
Reckless homicide
- A prison term of nine months to three years
- A fine of $5,000 to $10,000
Negligent homicide
- A jail sentence of up to 180 days
- In its place, your judge may sentence you to probation or other community control punishments
- At most, a fine of $1,000
Vehicular homicide
- A jail sentence of up to 180 days
- In its place, your judge may sentence you to probation or other community control punishments
- If you were speeding in a construction zone, your sentence will be at least 15 days
- If you were driving negligently and have a prior vehicular manslaughter/homicide/assault charge, you will face a mandatory prison term
- At most, a fine of $1,000
- Suspension of your driver’s license for one to five years
Vehicular homicide with a prior license suspension, or while driving without a license
- A prison term of six to 18 months
- At most, a fine of $5,000
- Suspension of your driver’s license for one to five years
Aggravated vehicular homicide
OVI / DUI or unsafe operation of aircraft
If any of the following apply, it’s a felony of the first degree:
- You have a prior vehicular manslaughter/homicide/assault conviction
- You were driving under a suspended license or you didn’t have one
- You have three or more prior OVI / DUI convictions, whether they be from aircraft, watercraft or land vehicles
- You have three or more prior unsafe operation of aircraft convictions in the last six years
- You have three or more prior convictions for involuntary manslaughter in the last six years
- You have three or more prior convictions for any of the above bullet points combined in the last six years
The penalties are as follows:
- A prison term of three to 11 years
- A fine of $10,000 to $20,000
- Suspension of your driver’s license for three years to life
If none of the above applies, it’s a felony of the second degree and carries the following penalties:
- A mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years
- A fine ranging from $7,500 to $15,000
- Suspension of your driver’s license for three years to life
Reckless operation (in a construction zone or not)
This is a felony of the third degree and carries the following penalties:
- A prison term of nine months to three years
- A fine of $5,000 to $10,000
- Suspension of your driver’s license for three years to life
The above, with a prior license suspension or while driving without a license
This is a felony of the second degree and carries the following penalties:
- A prison term of two to eight years
- A fine of $7,500 to $15,000
- Suspension of your driver’s license for three years to life
Frequently Asked Questions
How is murder different from homicide?
Resources
For over a decade, the Columbus criminal defense attorneys at LHA have successfully represented clients on criminal offenses ranging from minor misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. That extensive previous experience will enable us to better help you.
Talk to a Columbus Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you have any questions about the material or if you need an experienced, competent attorney, call the Columbus criminal defense lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates at (614) 500-3836.
