{"id":373753,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maine-law\/maine-manslaughter-law.html"},"modified":"2025-05-14T21:19:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T02:19:20","slug":"maine-manslaughter-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-manslaughter-law.html","title":{"rendered":"Maine Manslaughter Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Maine Manslaughter Law<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/laura-temme-esq\/\">Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            May 14, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>In Maine, manslaughter occurs when a person causes death through reckless behavior, criminal negligence, or extreme provocation. Maine manslaughter law does not differentiate between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Penalties for manslaughter vary, with the most severe being up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Maine law categorizes three crimes under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/homicide.html\">homicide<\/a>: murder, felony murder, and manslaughter. The three crimes vary depending on several factors, such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The intent of the offender<\/li>\r\n<li>The nature of the crime<\/li>\r\n<li>Whether the defendant planned the killing<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll explain how Maine defines <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/legalblogs\/criminal-defense\/what-is-manslaughter\/\">manslaughter<\/a> and the criminal penalties that can result from a conviction.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you\u2019re facing manslaughter charges or other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-criminal-laws.html\">criminal charges<\/a>, contact a local <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/maine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a> as soon as you can. They can explain your options, negotiate with prosecutors, and represent your interests in court.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Maine Law Doesn\u2019t Distinguish Between Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Most states divide manslaughter into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/voluntary-manslaughter-overview.html\">voluntary manslaughter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/involuntary-manslaughter-overview.html\">involuntary manslaughter<\/a>. The primary difference between the two is that involuntary manslaughter doesn&#8217;t involve intent to kill.<\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Voluntary Manslaughter<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p>Typically, the difference between involuntary and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/voluntary-manslaughter-penalties-and-sentencing.html\">voluntary manslaughter<\/a> has to do with intent. The legal definition of voluntary manslaughter in states where there is such a crime usually includes the following elements:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The intentional killing of a human being<\/li>\r\n<li>Without deliberation, &quot;malice aforethought,&quot; or premeditation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Common examples of voluntary manslaughter are heat of passion crimes and cases involving imperfect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/self-defense-overview.html\">self-defense<\/a>. This means a person was provoked in the heat of the moment and acted without thinking or taking time to cool off. Imperfect self-defense typically means the person did act in self-defense, but went too far.<\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Involuntary Manslaughter<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p>Unlike its counterpart, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/involuntary-manslaughter-overview.html\">involuntary manslaughter<\/a> does not require intent on the part of the offender. Usually, these crimes involve the death of another person as a result of another crime, such as DUI or reckless driving. Many involuntary manslaughter cases also involve criminal negligence.<\/p>\r\n<p>Here&#8217;s an example: Someone driving on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/drivers-license-vehicle-info\/what-conduct-could-lead-to-drivers-license-suspension.html\">suspended driver\u2019s license<\/a> causes a fatal accident while speeding. The driver will probably face a license suspension and possible impoundment of their motor vehicle for speeding and driving without a valid license, but law enforcement may also arrest them for manslaughter.<\/p>\r\n<p>However, the state of Maine is unique in that it doesn\u2019t distinguish between the two types of manslaughter. All killings fall under the crime of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-murder-law.html\">homicide<\/a>, regardless of intent.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Maine\u2019s Manslaughter Laws at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>It can be challenging to understand the legal jargon in most state statutes. So we\u2019ve highlighted the details of Maine&#8217;s manslaughter law in the table below.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><td><p><b>Code Section<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>Maine Revised Statutes <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/me\/title-17-a-maine-criminal-code\/me-rev-st-tit-17-a-sect-203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">17-A section 203<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Definition of manslaughter<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>In Maine, a person is guilty of manslaughter if they do one of the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Cause the death of another due to reckless behavior or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/legalblogs\/criminal-defense\/when-can-negligence-become-criminal\/\" title=\"criminal negligence\">criminal negligence<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Intentionally or knowingly kill another person while under the influence of extreme anger or extreme fear brought on by adequate <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/provocation.html\" title=\"provocation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">provocation<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Have direct control over employees and intentionally violates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/workplace-safety\/workplace-safety-osha-and-osh-act-overview.html\" title=\"safety or health standards\">safety or health standards<\/a>, causing the death of an employee. (The state must prove that the employer should have reasonably foreseen the consequence of their actions.)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>Manslaughter can be either a Class A or a Class C crime.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>Class A:<\/b> In Maine, a <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/statutes\/\/17-a\/title17-Asec4.html\" title=\"Class A crime\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Class A crime<\/a> carries a possible prison sentence of up to 30 years and a fine of up to $50,000.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Class C:<\/b> Punishable by up to five years in prison and\/or a fine of up to $5,000.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2><b>What&#8217;s the Difference Between Murder and Manslaughter?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Whether a person is guilty of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-murder-law.html\" title=\"murder\">murder<\/a> as opposed to manslaughter depends on the presence of malice. Maine\u2019s murder law defines malice as the intent to kill or cause serious bodily injury.<\/p>\r\n<p>In other words, murder is the unlawful killing of another person <i>with<\/i> malice, while manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another <i>without<\/i> malice. However, the courts may reduce a person\u2019s murder charge to manslaughter due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/factors-considered-in-determining-sentences.html\" title=\"mitigating circumstances\">mitigating circumstances<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Mitigating Murder to Manslaughter<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The criminal courts may <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/factors-considered-in-determining-sentences.html\" title=\"mitigate\">mitigate<\/a> a murder charge to that of manslaughter if the defendant killed the victim in the &quot;heat of passion.&quot; If the offender commits the killing under the influence of extreme anger or extreme fear brought on by adequate provocation, the judge may reduce the defendant&#8217;s charges to manslaughter.<\/p>\r\n<p>For example, imagine a man comes home and finds his wife cheating on him. The husband kills his wife\u2019s lover while under the influence of extreme anger. Law enforcement charges him with first-degree murder.<\/p>\r\n<p>The husband (or his defense lawyer) will likely argue that the court should reduce the charges to manslaughter, given the defendant\u2019s anger at the time of the killing.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>How Can a Maine Criminal Defense Attorney Help?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>If you\u2019re facing manslaughter charges or another criminal charge, it\u2019s a good idea to contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/maine\/?fli=dcta\" title=\"Maine criminal defense lawyer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine criminal defense lawyer<\/a> as soon as possible after your arrest. The penalties for this crime are severe, and a legal professional can be instrumental in seeking an acquittal or favorable plea bargain.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" 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