GRL Law speaks out in support of our client accused of Vehicular Homicide as a result of a tragic accident late last year. “It is scary when we start turning accidents into felony prosecutions” GRL Law’s partner, Robert Rehkemper told KCCI.
The charge GRL Law client is accused of committing requires the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused’s driving amounted to a willful and wanton disregard for other people’s safety. The name for this legal standard is recklessness. According to Iowa law, for a person’s conduct to qualify as reckless it must be highly dangerous. The danger accompanying the action must be so obvious that the person knows or should know that the harm will more than likely occur as a result of the conduct. This is a very high legal standard for the prosecution to meet and requires evidence almost reaching the level of an intentional act.
Accidents are an unfortunate part of our lives. However, accidents do not rise to the level of criminal conduct simply because the results are the tragic loss of life. There are other legal arenas where liability and corresponding financial compensation may be sought as a result of these incidents. Accusations of criminal wrongdoing, especially a felony, may have lasting adverse implications on the accused, even if the charges are later dismissed or he is found not guilty. GRL Law will be aggressively defending these accusations.
You can access the full KCCI news story here.
