What charge is a person subject to if they deliver a controlled substance to another and cause their death?

A person who delivers a controlled substance to another individual and causes their death is charged with drug-induced homicide. This legal designation stems from the recognition that the act of delivering a controlled substance can have fatal consequences, particularly in cases of overdose or adverse reactions to the drug. In Illinois, drug-induced homicide is specifically defined in statutes related to the unlawful distribution of drugs, where the death results from the use of the substance provided.

This charge focuses on the link between the act of distribution and the resulting death, signifying a direct responsibility for the consequences of one’s actions in the context of drug delivery. It reflects a legal understanding that delivering harmful substances can have lethal outcomes, thus applying a serious charge to those involved in such activities.

The other potential charges do not capture the same level of culpability connected to the intent and consequences surrounding drug delivery leading to death. For instance, voluntary manslaughter typically involves a situation where a person is provoked into committing a violent act but does not directly apply to drug delivery. Reckless conduct refers to actions that create a substantial risk of injury without necessarily resulting in death, and reckless homicide would imply a broader scenario of reckless behavior leading to unintentional death without the specific focus on drug distribution. Thus, drug-induced