"The Joslyn Law Firm is highly experienced and nationally recognized for their Criminal and DUI Defense. Brian Joslyn is an Award-Winning Criminal and DUI Defense attorney who, along with his team, has handled hundreds of cases and has helped their clients obtain the best results possible."
Vehicular Homicide
Any time a case deals with the loss of human life or the loss of potential for human life in an accident, it is a traumatic experience for all involved – especially for the victim's family. Thus, vehicular manslaughter and vehicular homicide are two very serious offenses that Ohio handles in a strict, punitive manner.
If you have been charged with one of these offenses you are already facing an uphill battle even before other factors like alcohol or drug influence are considered. An experienced OVI criminal defense attorney will be able to protect your rights and fight to ensure you are treated fairly.
Ohio Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Lawyer
The attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm are committed to the fair treatment of individuals like you charged with a vehicular homicide offense in the central Ohio cities of Hamilton, Sharonville, Lebanon, Reyndoldsburg, Blue Ash, Loveland, and the surrounding areas.
Our team will fight to protect your rights and customize a defense based on the details of your case. Call Joslyn Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.
OH Criminal Code Regarding Homicide by Vehicle
- Types of Violent Crimes Involving Vehicles in Ohio
- Criminal Penalties for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Convictions
- Using an Attorney to Defend Against Vehicular Homicide Charges
Types of Violent Crimes Involving Vehicles in Ohio
There are many different types of vehicular manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses that are defined by the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is important to remember that under Ohio law, both death of an individual and death of an unborn child are considered manslaughter or homicide.
Vehicular manslaughter – You can be charged with this offense if the death of another is proximate to you committing a traffic offense equivalent to a minor misdemeanor. This is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Vehicular homicide – This offense involves the death of another as a result of negligent behavior in a motor vehicle or other form of transportation. It is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Aggravated vehicular homicide – An individual is in violation of this offense if the death of another is the result of
- Reckless behavior with a motor vehicle or other form of transportation, or
- Operation of a motor vehicle or other form of transportation under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A reckless aggravated vehicular homicide is a third-degree felony, while an OVI aggravated vehicular homicide is a second-degree felony.
No matter which offense you are charged with, the penalties are stiff and the court will want justice for the loss of life. An experienced defense attorney will make sure your rights are protected and, if necessary, any adjudication is fair.
Criminal Penalties for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Convictions
Ohio Rev. Code §2903.06 specifies four different categories for the degree of felony and the corresponding consequences. How your case is classified and what punitive consequences you could be facing depends on if this is your first offense, the nature of any past offenses, if alcohol is suspected, and whether or not the offense was committed with a suspended or terminated driver's license.
Reckless Aggravated Vehicular Homicide – First Offense
- Third-degree Felony
- 1-5 years of prison
- $10,000 fine
- 3 years to Life of Class 2 driver's license suspension
Reckless Aggravated Vehicular Homicide – Suspended, Canceled, or No Driver's License
- Second-degree felony
- 2-8 years of prison
- Court-adjudicated mandatory prison time
- $15,000 fine
Reckless Aggravated Vehicular Homicide – With Priors
- Qualifying priors:
- Traffic-related homicide offense
- Traffic-related manslaughter offense
- Traffic-related assault offense
- Felonious assault offense
- Attempted murder offense
- 2-8 years of prison
- Court-adjudicated mandatory prison time
- $15,000 fine
- For-life Class 1 driver's license suspension
OVI Aggravated Vehicular Homicide – First Offense
- Second-degree felony
- 2-8 years of prison
- Court-adjudicated mandatory prison time
- $15,000 fine
- For-life Class 1 driver's license suspension
OVI Aggravated Vehicular Homicide – Suspended, Canceled, or No Driver's License
- First-Degree felony
- 3-10 years of prison
- Court-adjudicated mandatory prison time
- $20,000 fine
- For-life Class 1 driver's license suspension
OVI Aggravated Vehicular Homicide – Traffic-Related Priors
- Qualifying priors:
- Traffic-related homicide offense
- Traffic-related manslaughter offense
- Traffic-related assault offense
- First-Degree felony
- 3-10 years of prison
- Court-adjudicated mandatory prison time
- $20,000 fine
- For-life Class 1 driver's license suspension
OVI Aggravated Vehicular Homicide – Other Priors
- Qualifying priors:
- 3 guilty adjudications of OVI in the last 6 years
- 3 guilty adjudications of physical control OVI in the last 6 years
- 3 guilty adjudications of OVI with an aircraft in the last 6 years
- 3 guilty adjudications of simple or aggravated vehicular manslaughter or homicide
- 3 guilty adjudications of simple or aggravated vehicular assault
- 3 guilty adjudications of DUI involuntary manslaughter
- 3 guilty adjudications of any combination of the above offenses
- 1 guilty adjudication for 2nd or subsequent felony DUI offense
- First-degree felony
- 10-15 year mandatory prison term
- $20,000 fine
- For-life Class 1 driver's license suspension
All of these offenses are serious and come with social consequences as well. Fight for your freedom by calling an experienced Cincinnati DUI defense attorney today.
Using an Attorney to Defend Against Vehicular Homicide Charges
If you've been charged with a serious vehicular crime in Hamilton County, Butler County, Greene County, Franklin County, Clinton County, or Clermont County don't face an uphill battle alone. Protect your future and criminal record by calling Joslyn Law Firm today. Your first consultation is free, so call (513) 399-6289 or submit our online contact form now.
