Manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter (/ˈmanˌslɔːtər/) is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the Ancient Greeks.
Etymology
The term 'manslaughter' is derived from the Old English word 'mannslieht', from 'mann' (man) and 'slieht' (slaughter). The legal definition of the term varies between jurisdictions.
Types of Manslaughter
Manslaughter is usually broken down into two distinct categories: voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.
- Voluntary manslaughter occurs when the defendant kills with malice aforethought (intent to kill or cause serious harm), but there are mitigating circumstances that reduce culpability.
- Involuntary manslaughter occurs when the defendant kills without intent to kill in a reckless or negligent manner.
Related Terms
- Homicide: The act of one human killing another.
- Murder: The unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse.
- Justifiable homicide: A killing without evil or criminal intent, for which there can be no blame.
- Criminal negligence: Conduct in which a person ignores a known or obvious risk, or disregards the life and safety of others.
Legal Defenses
Some legal defenses for manslaughter include self-defense, insanity, and provocation. These defenses can reduce the charges or even lead to acquittal.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Manslaughter
- Wikipedia's article - Manslaughter
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