Nebraska's Motor Vehicle (Vehicular) Homicide Laws and Penalties

In Nebraska, causing the death of another person while driving can lead to serious criminal changes. This article covers Nebraska's vehicular homicide laws and the penalties you'll face for a conviction.

How Does Nebraska Define Motor Vehicle (Vehicular) Homicide?

Nebraska defines "motor vehicle homicide" (sometimes called "vehicular homicide") as causing the death of another person while driving in violation of any state law or local ordinance. However, the penalties for a conviction depend on the type of traffic violation that led to the death (see below).

A motorist can't be convicted of motor vehicle homicide unless there's proof that the motorist's driving was a legal cause of the death. In other words, there needs to be a direct link between the defendant's driving and the death.

Nebraska's Motor Vehicle (Vehicular) Homicide Penalties

The consequences of a Nebraska motor vehicle homicide conviction depend on the circumstances. However, here are the possibility penalties for three categories of vehicular homicide.

Penalties for Vehicular Homicide Involving a Traffic Violation in Nebraska

In most situations where a traffic violation leads to a death, the driver is guilty of motor vehicle homicide as a class I misdemeanor. Convicted motorists face up to a year in jail and/or a maximum of $1,000 in fines.

Penalties for Vehicular Homicide Involving Reckless Driving in Nebraska

A motor vehicle homicide offense that involves reckless driving is a class IIIA felony. A conviction carries up to three years in prison and/or a maximum of $10,000 in fines. The offender will also be on post-release supervision for nine to 18 months.

Penalties for Vehicular Homicide Involving DUIs or a Revoked License in Nebraska

Generally, a motor vehicle homicide offense that involves driving under the influence (DUI) or driving on a revoked license is a class IIA felony. Convicted motorists face up to 20 years in prison and a one-to-15-year license revocation. And if the offense involves DUI or driving on a revoked license and the driver has a prior DUI or driving-on-a-revoked-license conviction, the offense is a class II felony. Anyone convicted of motor vehicle homicide as a class II felony is looking at one to 15 years in prison and a 15-year license revocation.

Talk to a Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney

Motor vehicle homicide is a serious criminal charge that can result in a long prison sentence. If you've been arrested for motor vehicle homicide—or any other crime—get in contact with a criminal defense attorney right away. The facts of every case are different. An experienced defense attorney can explain how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on the best plan of action.