Homicide offenses are crimes that lead to a person dying. The state treats homicide offenses as felonies in most cases. People can classify homicide offenses into two primary categories.
Murder involves intentionally causing another person’s death, while manslaughter involves causing death without necessarily planning to do so. The state also breaks manslaughter into two separate categories. Voluntary manslaughter charges may follow a crime of passion, such as when one person kills another during an argument without any premeditation.
Involuntary manslaughter, on the other hand, usually involves one person causing the death of another unintentionally. There are a variety of situations in which the state can pursue involuntary manslaughter charges against individuals, including the three scenarios described below.
1. Impaired driving collisions
Drunk or drugged driving can lead to preventable collisions with tragic consequences. Impaired motorists typically do not expect to cause harm to others. They simply fail to recognize their impairment or consider the consequences of their choices before getting behind the wheel. Those who cause fatal collisions due to impaired driving could face involuntary manslaughter charges.
2. Egregiously negligent behavior
There are many kinds of unsafe and inappropriate conduct that can lead to injury or worse for other people. People who engage in behavior that displays a wanton disregard for the safety of others could face involuntary manslaughter charges. In especially egregious cases, the state can potentially pursue aggravated involuntary manslaughter charges.
3. The distribution of dangerous drugs
People who distribute drugs to others put their customers or friends at risk of devastating medical consequences. The distribution of fentanyl itself or any other drug contaminated with fentanyl could result in a person overdosing. The state can pursue involuntary manslaughter charges against those who distribute fentanyl and other dangerous drugs to people who then fatally overdose.
Although manslaughter is not as serious of a criminal charge as outright murder, it is still a felony offense that can lead to years in prison and a life-altering criminal record. Those accused of involuntary manslaughter or other forms of homicide generally need support as they prepare a defense strategy and navigate the criminal justice system.
Responding effectively to violent criminal charges can help people exonerate themselves when the state blames them for the death of another person.