MANSLAUGHTER

The unjustifiable, inexcusable, and intentional killing of a human being without deliberation, premeditation, and malice. Unlawful killing of a human being without any deliberation, which may be involuntary, in the commission of a lawful actwithout due caution and circumspection.

Manslaughter is an unlawful killing that doesn’t involve malice aforethought—intent to seriously harm or kill, or extreme, reckless disregard for life. The absence of malice aforethought means that manslaughter involves less moral blame than either first or second degree murder. (But plenty argue that some instances of felony murder, a form of first degree murder, involve less blameworthiness than some instances of manslaughter.) Thus, while manslaughter is a serious crime, the punishment for it is generally less than that for murder.

The two main variations of manslaughter are usually referred to as voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. The main difference between the two is that voluntary manslaughter requires an intent kill or cause serious bodily harm while involuntary manslaughter dose not. Premeditation or deliberation, however, are elements of murder and not of manslaughter.