Even though the person responsible for a school shooting is the child shooter, parents can be and have been, convicted of criminal acts related to the shooting.
Going over two cases where this occurred and speaking with an experienced Schaumburg criminal defense attorney will allow you to protect your rights.
Why Were The Crumbley Parents Convicted Of Involuntary Manslaughter?
On November 30, 2021, Ethan Crumbley walked into Oxford High School in the state of Michigan. While inside the school, he killed four people and injured seven people.
Even though Ethan Crumbley had no accomplices and was the only one directly responsible for the shooting, his parents – Jennifer and James Crumbley – were convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
The basis for this conviction is as follows: both of Ethan Crumbley’s parents were grossly negligent when it came to their son’s mental health. And these acts of gross negligence played a big role in the shooting that occurred.
Despite the fact that neither of Ethan Crumbley’s parents physically engaged in the shooting, their actions were considered so significant that they led to the shooting.
A good example of the above is as follows: both parents were asked by a school counselor to take their son out of the school on the day of the shooting. They did not do so, and the shooting occurred.
Why Was Robert Crimo Jr. Convicted Of Reckless Conduct?
On July 4, 2022, Robert Crimo III opened fire on a July 4th parade in Highland Park. This led to the deaths of seven people, and it also led to 48 people being injured.
Robert Crimo III is set to go on trial for his crime. His father, Robert Crimo Jr. was convicted of misdemeanor reckless conduct for his role in the Highland Park shooting.
The basis for this conviction was as follows: despite reports of concerning behavior, Crimo Jr. signed Crimo III’s FOID card application, allowing him to legally purchase/own firearms, thereby making it easier for the shooting to happen.
Can You Be Convicted If Your Child Commits A School Shooting?
“Reckless conduct,” within the state of Illinois, is defined as the following: a situation in which someone recklessly performs an act, or acts, that:
- Causes bodily harm or endangers the safety of another person.
- Causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another person.
If someone gives a weapon to a person who they know is a danger to others, then, depending on what they do with this weapon, they could be charged with reckless conduct.
A reckless conduct sentence can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the exact facts underlying the case. This can lead to the following consequences:
- If it’s a misdemeanor, you can receive up to a year in prison and a fine of no more than $2,500.
- If it’s a felony, you can receive one to three years in prison and a fine of no more than $25,000.
Given the facts outlined above, if your child commits a school shooting, then there is a chance that you could be convicted of a criminal act. This is possible if you are considered responsible, on some level, for the shooting.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need representation for a reckless conduct charge, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.
Our team has helped thousands of people who have been charged with crimes in Illinois. When we take cases, we do so to win. This means we take cases to trial. We don’t arrange plea bargains unless it is in the best interest of our clients. As proactive lawyers, we fight aggressively and support our clients throughout their entire case, including appeals. Protecting your life and freedom is always the goal, and with our decades of experience practicing law, we know how to get results. This is why we are regularly invited to appear as a legal contributor on popular radio and news outlets, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox NEWS.
When you need an attorney, experience matters.
Speak with a Chicago criminal defense attorney today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.