Vehicular Homicide Charges Against a Teenager

[lawfacts]

If a sixteen-year-old is driving in Washington State, with two other teenagers in the vehicle, all three teens are intoxicated, and they get into an accident in which one of the teenagers is killed, will the driver be tried in juvenile court or adult court? The charge is vehicular homicide.

[Mr. Knowitall]

For a vehicular homicide charge, the prosecution will likely remain in juvenile court. While vehicular homicide is classified as a violent offense, it is not classified as a "serious violent offense", such that the charge would end up in an adult court. See RCW 13.04.030. As individual cases can vary based upon the facts, the minor should be working with a lawyer.

As a side note, when a sixteen-year-old commits a traffic misdemeanor, including DUI, the charge will end up in an adult court, yet the more serious felony charge is likely to remain in juvenile court.