Manslaughter

Manslaughter is one of the more serious felony charges in New York State. There are two degrees of manslaughter, as well as aggravated manslaughter that we will discuss here. If you or someone you know has been charged with manslaughter in any degree, call our experienced team of New York criminal attorneys now to discuss what options are available to you in handling these charges. Our office has handled hundreds of criminal cases and are extremely successful in obtaining favorable dispositions for our clients.

Manslaughter in the second degree is the lower form of this charge and is a class C felony, meaning a sentence of up to 15 years is possible upon conviction if the charges are not handled properly. This charge applies when a person has recklessly caused the death of another person, if they intentionally aid another person in committing suicide, or if they unjustifiably act in such a way that could cause an abortion for a female but also cause the death of the female. Aggravated manslaughter in the second degree applies if a person has recklessly caused the death of a police or peace officer where the officer was in the course of performing their official duties and the offender knew or should have known that the victim was such an officer.

The highest charge of manslaughter is in the first degree and is a class B felony, punishable by up to a 25-year sentence. This charge applies when a person has acted with intent to cause serious injury to another person and in doing so has caused the death of that person or a third party. If a person has intent to cause the death of another person and causes that death but their actions do not fulfill the requirements for murder due to them being under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance, they will have been charged with manslaughter in the first as well. Additionally, if a person commits an unjustifiable act to cause an abortion to a female who is pregnant more than 24 weeks and in the course of that act causes the death of the female, or if a person over 18 acts with intent to cause physical injury to a person less than 11 years old and recklessly enters into conduct which could create a grave risk of serious physical injury and in the process causes the death of that person, these charges also apply.

Aggravated manslaughter in the first degree applies when a person has acted with intent to cause serious physical injury to a police or peace officer when such officer was in the course of performing their official duties and the offender knew or should have known the victim was an officer and the officer dies. Additionally, it applies when the death of such office was caused but the motives do not constitute murder due to extreme emotional disturbance.

If you or someone you know have been charged with manslaughter, aggravated or otherwise, call our experienced team of New York criminal attorneys now to discuss your case and see what options are available.