Homicide penalties in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, are categorized into 8 categories under state statute. First-degree intentional homicide could lead to life in prison, and a second-degree reckless homicide could mean up to 25 years in prison, up to a $100,000 fine or both.

Homicide FAQ

Payment Plans Learn More Free Consult Get Started Today

First-degree intentional homicide is a Class A felony. If convicted, the sentence is life in prison. There may be the possibility of parole at some point, but certainly not in every case.

A second-degree homicide is a Class B felony, which has maximum penalties of up to 60 years in prison.

The maximum penalties for murder vary and depend on the underlying crime being committed. When calculating the maximum possible penalties for murder, 15 years is added to the maximum possible penalty for the underlying crime. For example, if the underlying crime had a maximum prison time of 10 years, the maximum possible penalty for the murder would be 25 years. 

First-degree reckless homicide is a Class B felony with maximum penalties of 60 years in prison.

Second-degree reckless homicide is a Class D felony and carries maximum penalties of a $100,000 and 25 years in prison.

Negligent homicide is a Class G felony. The maximum possible penalties for a Class G felony are 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both.

In the case of a homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in Wisconsin sentence, there are two possible classifications for penalties depending on your history. If you have no history of OWI offenses, it is a Class D felony with maximum penalties of 25 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. If you have a prior OWI, it becomes a Class C felony with higher penalties of 40 years in prison, $100,000 fine, or both. If multiple deaths occur in a single incident, you can be given one charge per death. So, if 4 people died because of your intoxicated driving, you can get charged with four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, and you will be facing at least 100 years in prison and $400,000 in fines. 

Homicide in the North Shore

Whether you or a loved one are facing murder or homicide charges in the North Shore, it is imperative to have a good team of attorneys behind you. These are some of the most severe penalties in Wisconsin and need to be taken very seriously. There are many types of ways someone can be charged with the death of another; they include but are not limited to, homicide, murder, negligent homicide, reckless homicide, and homicide by intoxicated use of a firearm or vehicle. What is the difference between all of these? 

First and second-degree homicide are probably the ones that people are most familiar with. First-degree intentional homicide is premeditated and the person intentionally causes the death of another person. 

Second-degree homicide occurs when someone causes the death of another, but the homicide is seen as having just cause. The issue of just cause is left up to the jury. 

While murder and homicide are definitely terms that are intertwined when talking about this type of case, felony murder is different than homicide. Murder occurs when someone causes the death of another while committing, or attempting to commit, another specific crime. While there is a lengthy list of underlying offenses that could lead to murder, some of them include aggravated battery, substantial battery, sexual assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment in WI, as well as many others. 

Then there is both reckless and negligent homicide. Reckless homicide occurs when someone’s criminally reckless behavior causes the death of another. If those actions also show an utter disregard for human life, it is first-degree reckless homicide. Without the utter disregard for human life, it is second-degree reckless homicide. 

Negligent homicide occurs when someone negligently handles a fire, explosives, or a dangerous weapon. It can also occur from negligently controlling a vicious animal.

If you are charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a firearm or vehicle, it means that your intoxication in driving the car or handling the firearm caused the death of another.