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 Nevada, manslaughter is categorized into two types: voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, as defined under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). Voluntary manslaughter (NRS 200.050) occurs when a person kills another in a sudden heat of passion, as a result of a provocation that would be sufficient to incite an average person to act rashly or without deliberation and reflection. Involuntary manslaughter (NRS 200.070), on the other hand, involves the unintentional killing of another person due to the defendant's negligence or recklessness, such as causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Both types of manslaughter are considered felonies in Nevada, with voluntary manslaughter carrying a potential prison sentence of 1 to 10 years, and involuntary manslaughter punishable by 1 to 4 years in prison. The specific circumstances of the case, including any aggravating factors, can influence the severity of the penalties upon conviction.