Seattle Violent Crimes Attorneys

Washington Manslaughter Charges

Next to murder, manslaughter is the second most serious violent crime a person can commit.  Manslaughter is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being without deliberation, premeditation, or malice; the unlawful killing of a human being without any deliberation, which may be involuntary, in the commission of a lawful act without caution and circumspection.  People will often confuse murder and manslaughter, but the essential different lies in the intent of the criminal.  In order to be considered murder, a malicious aforethought must be present before the killing; but in cases of manslaughter, a person is killed without premeditation or intent.  Manslaughter results either from an accident or from a person’s negligent or careless behavior rather than a malicious intent to end another person’s life. 

If you are facing manslaughter charges in Seattle, you most certainly have felt the fear and anxiety that frequently accompanies this type of criminal charge.  Our defense attorneys have worked with many Washington clients who were scared and fearful about their futures and about the futures of their families as well after being charged with manslaughter.  When you consider the harsh penalties for manslaughter convictions, this fear is highly understandable, and your Seattle violent crimes attorney will do everything they can to make this difficult situation easier. 

Voluntary & Involuntary Manslaughter Lawyers

Manslaughter offenses are divided into two different categories in Washington for sentencing purposes:

Voluntary Manslaughter

Voluntary manslaughter entails an intentional killing that is accompanied by additional circumstances that mitigate, but do not excuse, the killing.  The most common types of voluntary manslaughter occur when a defendant is provoked to commit the homicide.  Sometimes described as a heat of passion killing, the provocation must induce anger, rage, fear or terror in the defendant who is then driven to commit the homicide. 

Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another human being without intent.  The absence of the intent element is the real difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.  Involuntary manslaughter often results from carelessness during the commission of a lawful or unlawful act.  If involuntary manslaughter results from a high degree of negligence or recklessness, it is considered to be criminal-negligence manslaughter, and if it results from the defendant attempting to commit an unlawful act like a misdemeanor. 

Contact a Seattle Violent Crimes Lawyer today if you are facing manslaughter charges!