Denton Criminal Lawyer

Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter is one of two types of manslaughter: voluntary and involuntary. The two are similar on a basic level, but have some marked differences. This is why there are two different categories of manslaughter.

Manslaughter is defined as the killing of another person in such a manner that the law considers it less culpable than murder. This has to do with the situation the defendant is in and the state of mind of the defendant at the time. If the defendant was in a state of malice, meaning that there was premeditation, the act is considered murder.

Involuntary manslaughter can also be referred to as criminally negligent homicide. This means that there was no intent to kill or cause injury, but death ensued as a result of recklessness or negligence. Within involuntary manslaughter there are subsets including:

• Recklessness: This is defined as a total disregard for the dangers of a situation.
• Vehicular manslaughter: This type of manslaughter holds the culprit responsible for criminally negligent disregard of safety dealing with traffic laws and vehicles.
• Intoxication manslaughter: This is similar to vehicular manslaughter, but involves intoxication. Intoxication manslaughter involves the death of another due to an intoxicated driver of any type of vehicle.
• Assisted suicide: This is a provision by one person to another of the means to kill oneself.

Manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary, is a serious crime that can be seriously punished.

Speak with a Denton Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been accused of manslaughter, contact the Denton criminal defense attorneys of Alexander & Associates at 972-420-6560.