Manslaughter involves the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought or premeditated intent to kill. The definition of manslaughter dates back medieval England. Manslaughter is a felony homicide that is divided into two categories including first degree and second degree manslaughter. First degree manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another person in the heat of passion and without premeditation, or during the commission of a misdemeanor. Second-degree manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another person due to reckless or negligent behavior in which there was no intent to cause death. The punishment for a manslaughter conviction in Oklahoma includes up to life in prison. Oklahoma's manslaughter laws are defined in Title 21, Section 711 and 716 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Individuals facing charges of first-degree or second-degree manslaughter should contact a criminal defense attorney to secure legal representation. Criminal attorneys use a variety of legal defense strategies including heat of passion, mistaken identity, and resisting a crime. Manslaughter charges are different from murder charges in that the act lacks aforethought or premeditation.
What is Manslaughter?
Manslaughter is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought and without premeditated intent to kill. In Oklahoma, manslaughter is divided into first degree (voluntary) and second degree (involuntary) manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter, or first-degree manslaughter, involves a killing that occurs in the heat of passion or due to adequate provocation, where the defendant reacts impulsively rather than acting with a plan to kill. Involuntary manslaughter, or second-degree manslaughter, covers deaths caused by reckless conduct, criminal negligence, or an unlawful act, when there is no intent to cause death or serious harm. Sentences for voluntary manslaughter are generally more severe than sentences for involuntary manslaughter because the law views the conduct as more blameworthy. Manslaughter is divided into two types including voluntary and involuntary.
What Does Manslaughter Mean?
The meaning of manslaughter is the "killing of a person". The origins of the word manslaughter comes from the Middle English word "manslaȝter". Manslaughter is the combination of the word mann (person) and slæht (slay). The meaning of manslaughter emerged from English law in the 14th century as a way of differentiating killings that occur with malice aforethought (murder), from killings that lacked malice and were the result of an accident or due to sudden passion. The legal distinction between intentional and unintentional killings has been around since 409BC when it was introduced into Athenian law.
What Are the Degrees of Manslaughter?
The degrees of manslaughter are a legal framework that is used to organize and evaluate homicide cases that don't meet the legal requirements of murder. The manslaughter degrees control how the crime is defined, prosecuted, and punished in the State of Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, manslaughter charges include first degree (voluntary) manslaughter and second degree (involuntary) manslaughter. The degrees are differentiated by the killer's intent and mental state at the time of the homicide, as well as the type of conduct the killer was involved in at the time of the killing.
First Degree (Voluntary) Manslaughter
Voluntary manslaughter, also known as first degree manslaughter, involves the unlawful killing of another person without premeditation or malice aforethought. First-degree manslaughter in Oklahoma occurs when a homicide takes place in the heat of passion, during a spontaneous quarrel, or in a situation where emotions are intense and the defendant acts quickly rather than with a plan. The lack of a "cooling off period" is an important element when determining whether a homicide is charged a murder, or voluntary manslaughter. First-degree manslaughter also applies when a death occurs during the commission of a misdemeanor or when a person uses more force than is considered reasonably necessary in self-defense. In Oklahoma, voluntary manslaughter is defined in Title 21, Section 711. The key elements of first-degree manslaughter include an unlawful killing, a lack of premeditated intent to kill, and circumstances such as provocation or emotional disturbance that reduce the crime from murder to manslaughter. Penalties for first-degree manslaughter in Oklahoma range from four (4) years to life in prison, reflecting the serious nature of the offense and the harm caused.
2nd Degree (Involuntary) Manslaughter
Second-degree manslaughter, also known as involuntary manslaughter, involves the unlawful killing of another person without premeditation, malice aforethought, or intent to kill. Second-degree manslaughter charges apply to deaths that result from criminal negligence or reckless conduct that does not meet the higher standard required for first-degree manslaughter. In Oklahoma, second-degree manslaughter is defined in Title 21, Section 716. Key features of second-degree manslaughter include an unlawful killing, a lack of intent to cause death, and behavior that shows a reckless disregard for the safety of others. Penalties for second-degree manslaughter in Oklahoma usually involve imprisonment, and the exact term depends on the facts of the case and the defendant’s prior record.
What is the Difference between 1st & 2nd Degree Manslaughter?
The difference between first and second degree manslaughter in Oklahoma lies in the circumstances of the killing and the level of blame the law assigns to the defendant. First-degree manslaughter involves a killing that happens under specific mitigating conditions, such as the heat of passion, during the commission of a misdemeanor, or in situations where a person uses excessive force in self-defense. These cases lack premeditation but involve serious conduct that the law treats as closer to murder. Second-degree manslaughter involves an unintentional killing caused by criminal negligence or reckless behavior, without a particular intent to kill and without the specific circumstances that define first-degree manslaughter. In second-degree manslaughter cases, the defendant’s actions create a dangerous situation that results in death, but the law treats the conduct as less serious than the conduct in first-degree manslaughter cases.
What is the Manslaughter Sentence in Oklahoma?
The manslaughter sentence in Oklahoma depends on whether the defendant is convicted of first-degree manslaughter or second-degree manslaughter. A conviction for first-degree manslaughter in Oklahoma carries a sentence of four (4) years to life in prison. A conviction for second-degree manslaughter can result in a prison sentence of up to four (4) years. The exact punishment in a manslaughter case depends on the facts of the homicide, the defendant’s criminal history, and any aggravating or mitigating factors presented to the court. Judges use Oklahoma’s sentencing framework to decide the final sentence within the allowed range.
What is the Sentence for First Degree (Voluntary) Manslaughter in Oklahoma?
The sentence for a conviction on first-degree manslaughter charges in Oklahoma ranges from four (4) years up to life imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The minimum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is four (4) years in prison. The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is life imprisonment. First-degree manslaughter is a felony offense under Oklahoma law. The average sentence for first-degree manslaughter varies from case to case, because each case involves different facts, levels of risk, and harm. Oklahoma’s sentencing guidelines provide a framework for judges to decide an appropriate sentence for a first-degree manslaughter conviction. Judges consider the nature of the killing, the defendant’s prior record, and any mitigating or aggravating factors when they decide on the sentence. In many situations, there are no meaningful options for probation, and a conviction can result in a substantial prison term.
What is the Sentence for Second Degree (Involuntary) Manslaughter in Oklahoma?
The sentence for second-degree manslaughter in Oklahoma is a felony prison term that ranges from two (2) years to four (4) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The minimum prison sentence for second-degree manslaughter is two (2) years. The maximum prison sentence for second-degree manslaughter is four (4) years. The actual sentence imposed in a second-degree manslaughter case depends on the specific facts, the level of negligence or recklessness, and the defendant’s criminal history. Oklahoma’s sentencing guidelines give judges a framework for deciding the appropriate punishment for a second-degree manslaughter conviction. Judges look at the severity of the conduct, the risk to the public, and any mitigating or aggravating evidence. In serious cases, there may be limited or no opportunity for probation, and the court may require a period of incarceration.
What Are Oklahoma's Manslaughter Laws?
Oklahoma’s manslaughter laws divide unlawful killings without malice aforethought into first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter. First-degree manslaughter covers unintentional killings that happen during the commission of a misdemeanor, in the heat of passion, or through dangerous conduct, but without a specific intent to kill. Second-degree manslaughter applies to killings that result from culpable negligence or grossly reckless behavior that falls short of first-degree manslaughter. Penalties for manslaughter in Oklahoma depend on the degree of the offense, with first-degree manslaughter carrying more severe possible sentences than second-degree manslaughter. Manslaughter is defined under Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Title 21, Section 711 sets out the rules for first-degree manslaughter, and Section 716 describes second-degree manslaughter.
Which Lawyers Defend Against Manslaughter Charges?
Criminal defense lawyers handle manslaughter cases in Oklahoma. An Oklahoma city manslaughter defense attorney focuses on defending clients charged with first-degree manslaughter or second-degree manslaughter. A criminal defense lawyer in a manslaughter case evaluates the charges, reviews the evidence, and explains the possible penalties to the client. The attorney investigates the facts, interviews witnesses, examines police reports and forensic evidence, and looks for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. A manslaughter defense lawyer also develops a defense strategy, negotiates for reduced charges or plea agreements when appropriate, and represents the client in pretrial hearings and at trial.
What Defense Strategies Are Used to Fight Manslaughter Charges?
The defense strategies used to fight manslaughter charges in Oklahoma depend on the facts, the degree of manslaughter charged, and the available evidence. Common manslaughter defenses include a heat of passion defense, a mistaken identity or “wrong person” defense, and a resisting criminal attempt defense. The heat of passion defense seeks to show that the defendant acted under sudden provocation and intense emotion, which can reduce a potential murder charge to manslaughter or affect the sentence. A challenging identity defense argues that law enforcement has accused the wrong person and that the defendant did not commit the killing. A resisting criminal attempt defense claims that the defendant’s actions were in response to an imminent threat or criminal act by another person and that the resulting death occurred while the defendant tried to protect themselves or others. Each defense is tailored to the specific facts of the case and the evidence presented in court.
Is Manslaughter a Type of Homicide?
Yes, manslaughter is a type of homicide under Oklahoma law. Homicide is a broad term that refers to the killing of one person by another and includes both lawful and unlawful killings. Manslaughter is an unlawful homicide that does not involve malice aforethought or a clear intent to kill. Oklahoma’s homicide laws also cover other forms of unlawful killing, such as murder and negligent homicide, as well as lawful killings that may be classified as excusable or justifiable. Manslaughter fits within this structure as an unlawful killing that is punished, but treated less harshly than murder because of the lack of premeditated intent.
How is Manslaughter Different from Murder?
The difference between manslaughter and murder in Oklahoma is based on intent and the mental state of the defendant at the time of the killing. Murder in Oklahoma is defined as the unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought, which means the killing is intentional, deliberate, or carried out with extreme recklessness that shows a depraved mind. Manslaughter, by contrast, is the unlawful killing of a person without malice aforethought and without premeditated intent to kill. Because murder involves a higher level of intent or extreme disregard for human life, murder charges carry more severe penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Manslaughter charges, whether first-degree or second-degree, generally result in lesser maximum penalties, with sentences that vary depending on the degree of the offense and the specific circumstances of the crime.
