What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?

The difference between murder and manslaughter in Washington is that murder is viewed as a much more serious crime than manslaughter. Murder is defined as the intentional killing of another person, while manslaughter is defined as the unintentional killing of another person. In Washington, there are two classifications of murder: first-degree and second-degree murder. First-degree murder is premeditated, meaning that the person accused of the crime had planned to commit the crime beforehand. Second-degree murder is non-premeditated, meaning that the person accused of the crime did not have time to plan the murder. Manslaughter in Washington is divided into two categories, voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter requires proof of an intentional act by the defendant. This includes killing someone in the heat of passion or in the midst of a struggle. Involuntary manslaughter requires proof of a reckless or negligent act by a defendant, such as a drunk driver. In Washington, murder is considered a more serious crime than manslaughter because of its intent and level of premeditation. Murder has the most severe legal penalties, which can include life in prison, while manslaughter sentences are generally not as severe.

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