What Is a Reckless Vehicular Homicide Charge in South Carolina?

“Reckless vehicular homicide” sounds like something the average, responsible Charleston driver shouldn’t need to worry about, right?

Wrong. In fact, anyone who drives a car can find themselves on the wrong end of this criminal charge, regardless of how conscientious or reasonable they act. The fact is, automobiles are dangerous, and it’s common for even everyday commuters to find themselves in a dangerous situation (like a collision) through no fault of their own.

The real problem, however, is when police are quick to place the blame before they’ve fully evaluated the reality of the accident scene. This can mean serious consequences for you or your loved ones, even if you’ve done nothing wrong.

When you’re up against criminal charges in South Carolina, you need strong legal representation – more than that, you need an attorney that has argued on . At The Law Offices of A. Randolph Hough, we know how prosecutors think, and we know how to win.

What is reckless vehicular homicide?

According to a defendant can be found guilty of reckless homicide “When the death of a person ensues within three years as a proximate result of injury received by the driving of a vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others.” In other words, the defendant recklessly disregarded the safety of others while operating a vehicle, causing the death of another person.

A reckless homicide charge can mean . Common examples of reckless homicide behind the wheel could include:

• Driving under the influence
• Speeding
• Texting or other distracted driving
• Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
• “Road Rage” incidents

What constitutes “reckless disregard?”

“Reckless” driving under state law often involves a “for traffic laws or the safety of others. That being said, what exactly does “reckless disregard” or “willful or wanton” specifically mean?

Your guess is as good as ours. These definitions are extremely subjective, and are often a matter of opinion for the police investigating the incident or the prosecutor pushing the charges. The truth is, nobody can say for certain what activities definitively constitute “reckless disregard” under this statute. This means that the state will need to convince a jury not just that the defendant is guilty, but also provide a definition of “reckless” the entire jury can agree on.

Prosecutors get away with this all the time. The state probably has a lot more time, money, and resources than you do. This is why you need a fighter that knows how to show a jury the truth of the matter. At The Law Offices of A. Randolph Hough, we don’t let anybody run roughshod over your rights.

 

What should I do if I’m charged with reckless homicide in SC?

If you were charged with reckless homicide, the first thing to do is call a skilled . We can start working against your charges from the minute you contact us, including getting the charges reduced or dropped altogether. We might even be able to keep you from getting charged in the first place! We can work to get your , ensuring you can keep providing for you and your family. Most importantly, we can put up an ironclad defense if you need to go to trial.

Do not take any plea agreements until you’ve consulted with our dedicated criminal defense lawyer in Charleston or Columbia. Prosecutors are often looking for an easy conviction. Going to trial takes work, and juries can be unpredictable—in many cases, Attorney Hough can put up the obstacles necessary to get you a better deal.

You don’t have to fight criminal charges alone

Attorney Hough has been fighting for client rights in Charleston and Columbia for over 25 years. We understand that innocent people get caught up in the system all the time, and through no fault of their own. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it doesn’t mean that you’ve broken any laws. More importantly, it means you shouldn’t be charged if you haven’t committed a crime.

Every client’s case is unique, and it takes an advocate with unique skills to ensure the best possible outcome for you. Remember, an arrest isn’t a conviction; if you’ve been charged with reckless homicide, Attorney Hough can do what it takes to get you out of the system and back to living your life.

Need help fast? Call The Law Offices of A. Randolph Hough in Columbia or Charleston at (803) 771-4119, or fill out our contact form.