Homicide is a criminal incident in which one person causes the death of another. There are several different types of homicides according to state statutes. If investigators and law enforcement professionals believe that one person intentionally caused the death of another, the state might pursue murder charges.
In situations where people may have caused a death unintentionally or due to highly unusual circumstances, the state might pursue manslaughter charges instead of murder charges. The assertion is that the defendant is culpable for the death, even though they may not have intentionally caused it.
There are multiple different types of manslaughter, each of which comes with different potential penalties. The state generally treats manslaughter as a felony offense. The following are the three main categories of manslaughter under Maryland law.
Manslaughter by vehicle
Operating a motor vehicle is an innately dangerous activity. People can make split-second choices that have lifelong consequences. Choosing to read a text message while driving or deciding to get behind the wheel after a few drinks can result in a preventable car wreck. The state can bring manslaughter by vehicle charges. Those who cause fatal crashes may face manslaughter by vehicle charges. The penalties possible include up to 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
Voluntary manslaughter
Also sometimes known as a crime of passion, voluntary manslaughter involves someone losing control of their better judgment and reasoning during an intense or emotional experience. One person makes a poor decision without time to cool off from their emotions, which results in another person dying. For example, if two people engaged in mutual combat by agreement and one person died from their injuries, that could constitute voluntary manslaughter. The law does limit involuntary manslaughter charges by indicating that spouses who discover an affair in progress should face murder charges, not involuntary manslaughter charges.
Involuntary manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter refers to scenarios in which gross negligence or overt recklessness led to someone dying. A death that occurs as a result of a different criminal act or a major departure from a basic standard of care could lead to involuntary manslaughter charges. Involuntary manslaughter charges acknowledge that a defendant did not intend to harm the other person but behaved in a way that made their injury likely.
Defendants accused of homicide offenses often need to respond assertively to avoid not just serious criminal penalties but a record that could forever limit their opportunities. Understanding the different types of manslaughter charges prosecuted in Maryland can help people understand the risks they’re facing and begin preparing a response with their legal team accordingly.