What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter?
Voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter are both criminal offenses that generally fall under the umbrella of “culpable negligence” or “criminal negligence” in the state of North Carolina. Voluntary manslaughter is defined as when a person kills another intentionally in the heat of passion, usually due to provocation or sudden anger. For example, if a person kills someone after learning they cheated in a marriage or relationship, or if a person kills someone in the heat of a fist fight, this could be considered voluntary manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter is less intentional than voluntary manslaughter and is typically defined as criminal negligence that results in the death of another person. This includes a death due to recklessness or not taking reasonable care when causing death. This could include a driver accidentally killing someone else while driving under the influence, or a doctor failing to provide a patient with proper healthcare resulting in death. In North Carolina, the punishment for both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter is a Class D felony, which can result in jail time of 2.5 to 8 years, as well as a fine of up to $10,000. The punishment is the same for either type of manslaughter, however, the court considers the circumstances of the crime in order to determine the severity of the punishment. In more serious cases, such as premeditated actions or first-degree murder, a person could be found guilty of a Class A felony, which carries a much harsher penalty.
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