Manslaughter is the unlawful killing or homicide of a human being without the premeditation or malice (malice aforethought) required for the criminal offense of murder. Many states have two types of manslaughter: (1) voluntary manslaughter—the defendant intended to kill the victim, but did so in self-defense, or in the heat of passion and without premeditation, or the defendant was insane and did not understand that the killing was wrong; and (2) involuntary manslaughter—the defendant negligently or recklessly caused the death of another person—such as when a person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle and causes an accident that results in the death of another person.
Some states do not have separate criminal offenses for voluntary and involuntary manslaughter—these states may have the offense of manslaughter and identify certain aggravating factors that may enhance the penalties upon a conviction for manslaughter. Manslaughter is a felony offense and may be punished by a lengthy prison term. Manslaughter laws are generally located in a state's statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.
In Colorado, manslaughter is categorized under the Colorado Revised Statutes as either voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter, under Colorado law, is considered a class 4 felony and involves the intentional but spontaneous killing of another person, often occurring in the heat of passion or during a sudden quarrel that provokes violence. Involuntary manslaughter, classified as a class 5 felony in Colorado, occurs when a person's reckless behavior leads to the death of another, such as in cases where an individual operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causes a fatal accident. The penalties for manslaughter in Colorado can be severe, with potential prison sentences that reflect the gravity of the offense. The specific statutes detailing manslaughter offenses and penalties can be found in the Colorado Revised Statutes, which outline the legal framework for handling such cases in the state's criminal justice system.