Manslaughter is the legal term for the wrongful unplanned killing of another person. It is different from murder in that it is done without malice—that is, without the specific desire to harm someone.
The law recognizes two kinds of manslaughter, voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter, also called nonnegligent manslaughter, is a killing done in a heated moment, without previous plan, and in reaction to provocation by the victim. This provocation is such that it would cause an ordinary person to lose control. The killing is done without time for reflection. A person who kills someone in a violent quarrel without first planning to do so is guilty of voluntary manslaughter. A person who kills a week later is guilty of murder. Involuntary manslaughter, also called manslaughter by negligence, is done while the offender is engaged in some wrongful act. If a reckless driver kills someone, the driver is guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Punishment for manslaughter varies by state and country. The usual penalty in the United States is imprisonment for 1 to 14 years.
