First-Degree Reckless Homicide in Wisconsin
First-Degree Reckless Homicide in Wisconsin
Section 940.02(1) of the Wisconsin Statutes details “first-degree reckless homicide”.
Crime and Punishment
Any cases that involve the loss of human life, will result in serious consequences for the alleged defendant. However, first degree reckless homicide bears a different weight than other incidents that may result in the death of a victim. The term reckless, as it relates to the crime of homicide in this scenario, outlines actions that display the utter disregard for human life. In these situations, the defendant is accused of conduct that has created an unreasonable and unusual risk, combining factors that could cause a substantial risk of death. One may wonder what circumstances would cause someone to show utter disregard for their own personal safety, or that of those around them, creating an unreasonable and substantial risk for an unreasonable tragedy? At times, getting to the point where you have a genuine disregard for human life comes in conjunction with the use of, and abuse of,a controlled substance. When the mind is impaired by the effects of extreme chemical compounds, those formulas react with severity in the brain. The ensuing cognitive dissonance can cause a disregard for the life of himself, and even the death of another human.
Each state in our nation has their own regulations regarding certain types of homicide and the associated classifications that go along with them. The sentence for first degree reckless homicide in Wisconsin can be seen as a Class B Felony or a Class C Felony. As felony charges, each of these sentences are serious and carry a heavy potential punishment if someone is found guilty of either the former or the latter. These charges related to the disregard of human life can be prosecuted more harshly if the case ultimately involves death or great bodily harm to the victim, or if the victim was pregnant with an unborn child at the time of their death. Killing an unborn child under circumstances of a homicide will have the defendant guilty of a class C felony. A class C felony is a serious offense.
Anyone who takes a human life is guilty of a serious and irreversible crime that can cause lasting effects in the lives of many. Like that of those in many other states in the United States of America, Wisconsin laws are not lenient to crimes of this nature. Causing the death of another human is something that you can never take back. What you can take back though, is your plan of action moving forward.
Choosing a Legal Team
Though it may be the last thing on your mind after such an intense event, securing a defense attorney is an important first step in beginning your journey through trial and sentencing. Criminal defense lawyers will not judge you for your past. Their job is to work with you and your loved ones to ensure that you understand your options, as well as setting clear expectations for what to expect. An expert defense attorney will be blunt, without hiding anything from you, in order to ensure that you are fully prepared for all that is to come. Facing litigation related to acts of homicide and other violent crimes can be grueling and intense, but this would be an impossible situation for someone to navigate on their own. To have the best chance of success in the courtroom, it is critically important to have a clear understanding of the law, and how it manifests in your particular case. Though no situation is exactly the same, a standard level of service should be followed by your chosen defense attorney to ensure that you feel as comfortable and confident throughout the process as you can, during an already difficult time in the lives of you and your loved ones. If convicted of this charge in Wisconsin, you could be sentenced to 60 years in prison. If mitigating circumstances are proven however, your sentence may be reduced.
If you face homicide charges, you must contact our firm. We represent clients throughout the state of Wisconsin with offices in Baraboo, WI. Whether you truly made a mistake, are wrongly accused, or already convicted, our team will deliver skilled guidance and fight for favorable results. We have a strong track record of obtaining favorable results for our clients in Wisconsin homicide cases.