{"id":352178,"date":"2023-11-24T09:40:21","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T14:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/voluntary-manslaughter-defenses.html"},"modified":"2023-11-24T09:40:21","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T14:40:21","slug":"voluntary-manslaughter-defenses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/voluntary-manslaughter-defenses.html","title":{"rendered":"Voluntary Manslaughter Defenses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Voluntary Manslaughter Defenses<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The possible defenses to voluntary manslaughter charge are similar to those a defendant might raise for other homicide charges. For example, a defendant could attempt to prove they didn’t actually commit the crime. In the alternative, they may claim their actions were justified or argue their behavior didn’t meet the elements of voluntary manslaughter.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

What defense a person chooses to raise in court will vary according to the law of the state they’re in and the circumstances of the case. Some states may recognize certain mitigating factors\u2014like provocation or self-defense\u2014differently. This can significantly influence how a voluntary manslaughter charge is prosecuted.<\/p>\n

The following article provides an overview of voluntary manslaughter and an introduction to voluntary manslaughter defenses. If you are facing a manslaughter charge, you can also talk to a criminal law attorney<\/a> near you. The stakes are high for this type of charge, and an attorney can help\u00a0build a strong defense strategy tailored to the facts of your case.<\/p>\n

What Is Voluntary Manslaughter?<\/h2>\n

Under federal and many state laws today, voluntary manslaughter occurs when someone:<\/p>\n