Manslaughter

Manslaughter is a legal term referring to the unlawful killing of a person without malice aforethought, meaning there was no intention to kill or cause serious harm. It typically occurs in emotionally charged situations, like a sudden fight or a tragic accident, where the offender's actions are not premeditated. Manslaughter is often divided into two categories: voluntary, when the person is provoked, and involuntary, when death results from reckless or negligent behavior. The penalties for manslaughter are generally less severe than for murder, reflecting the lack of intent to kill.