Involuntary Manslaughter in Columbus

Involuntary manslaughter in Ohio involves causing another person’s death as a result of committing or attempting to commit another offense. The charge is generally a first-degree felony when tied to a felony offense and a third-degree felony when tied to a qualifying lower-level offense. Reach out to The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. if you’ve been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Our criminal defense attorneys in Columbus can investigate what offense prosecutors allege and whether the evidence connects it to the death.

Involuntary Manslaughter Must Be Linked to Another Offense

Ohio recognizes two main forms of involuntary manslaughter under Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.04. The first involves a death resulting from committing or trying to commit a felony. The second involves a death resulting from committing or attempting to commit a qualifying misdemeanor, regulatory offense, or minor misdemeanor, subject to statutory exceptions.

For instance, if someone dies as a result of an alleged felony drug offense, prosecutors may consider involuntary manslaughter. Deaths caused by certain violent felonies, such as felonious assault, may instead be charged as murder. The charge doesn’t require proof that you intended to kill the victim, but the prosecution must establish the underlying offense and its connection to the death.

Voluntary Manslaughter Is Different From Involuntary Manslaughter

The main difference is how the death occurred. Voluntary manslaughter involves killing someone in a sudden fit of rage triggered by serious provocation. Involuntary manslaughter involves causing someone’s death while committing or attempting to commit another offense. For example, a fatal confrontation may raise a voluntary manslaughter issue if the evidence supports the required provocation and sudden rage. A death resulting from the commission of another crime may instead lead to an involuntary manslaughter charge.

The Death Must Result From the Underlying Crime

Prosecutors must show that the death resulted from the underlying offense in the way Ohio law requires. For example, imagine someone is accused of assaulting another person, who later dies from injuries sustained during the incident.

Investigators would need evidence connecting the alleged assault to the death. Medical findings, witness accounts, and other evidence may help establish what happened and whether the legal requirements are satisfied. The timing of a death alone will not suffice. The prosecution must prove the required connection between the assault and the fatal outcome.

Involuntary Manslaughter Differs From Reckless Homicide and Murder

Murder, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless homicide may seem similar, but they are actually separate offenses.

• Murder: Murder generally involves purposely causing another person’s death.
• Involuntary Manslaughter: The death must result from committing or trying to commit a qualifying underlying crime.
• Reckless Homicide: This offense involves recklessly causing another person’s death.

The difference lies in the conduct and mental state required for each offense, as well as the legal elements prosecutors must prove. The fact that someone died doesn’t, by itself, determine which charge applies.

Involuntary Manslaughter Carries Serious Felony Penalties

The potential sentence depends partly on the underlying offense that led to the death. In Ohio, involuntary manslaughter is generally a first-degree felony when based on a felony crime and a third-degree felony when based on a misdemeanor offense. Other circumstances, including certain vehicle-related cases, can trigger specific sentencing requirements.

When involuntary manslaughter is charged as a first-degree felony, Ohio’s indefinite sentencing system sets a minimum prison term and a corresponding maximum term. A conviction may also result in substantial fines and, in certain vehicle-related cases, a driver’s license suspension. Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.04 governs involuntary manslaughter, while other statutes address the applicable sentence and additional penalties.

Let Our Columbus Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle Your Involuntary Manslaughter Case

An involuntary manslaughter accusation can carry serious consequences, but the charge must still meet the state’s legal requirements. To arrange your free case review, call Saia, Marrocco & Jensen at 614-444-3036 or submit our contact form.