Violent crimes are among the most serious criminal offenses possible. Crimes that result in someone dying are often far more serious than incidents that only result in injury.
Crimes that involve the death of another person typically fall into one of two legal categories. The state can charge people with murder in some cases. Other times, state prosecutors may pursue allegations of manslaughter against those implicated in another person’s premature passing.
There are several subcategories of both murder and manslaughter, each of which has a different definition under the law. Those accused of causing another person’s death need to understand what determines the charges the state may pursue. What factors typically separate murder from manslaughter?
Intent is key in murder cases
For the state to successfully bring murder charges against a defendant, the prosecution must show that there was an intent to end the other person’s life. Intent and the circumstances leading to the loss of life influence what allegations the state brings against the person deemed responsible for the incident.
In a first-degree murder case, the prosecutor must establish that the defendant engaged in a premeditated crime where they made the decision to take another person’s life before acting on that choice. Second-degree homicide cases may involve the intent to kill but not premeditation.
Manslaughter, on the other hand, typically involves a situation that could lead to injury or death but not the intent to cause human death. The state may pursue manslaughter charges in cases where reckless or illegal behavior resulted in someone dying. For example, if a bar fight results in one of the participants succumbing to their injuries, the state may pursue manslaughter charges in that scenario.
The state can also pursue manslaughter charges in scenarios involving crimes of passion or self-defense gone too far. There was an intent to cause harm but not necessarily an intent to kill. How police officers and prosecutors perceive the situation therefore has a major impact on the charges the defendant faces and the best defense strategy when taking the case to trial.
Reviewing the state’s case and the circumstances leading to a tragic outcome can help defendants prepare to respond to murder or manslaughter charges. People accused of causing the death of another person may sometimes avoid a conviction with the right defense strategy and support.