{"id":375035,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-manslaughter-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-07-11T16:02:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T21:02:34","slug":"new-jersey-manslaughter-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-manslaughter-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Manslaughter Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

New Jersey Manslaughter Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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

Manslaughter is a type of criminal homicide. It is different from murder<\/a> in that the person committing manslaughter does not necessarily have the intent to kill someone. They may have the intent to cause serious bodily injury, kill someone while under the heat of passion, or in response to reasonable provocation.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey law defines manslaughter as recklessly killing another person. The New Jersey Criminal Code does not require the state to prove premeditation or planning. All the state has to do is demonstrate that the defendant\u2019s actions resulted in the death of another person or that the defendant intentionally killed someone while in the heat of passion<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This article discusses New Jersey\u2019s manslaughter laws, including the difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter<\/a>. It also explains the penalties and defenses to these crimes.<\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re facing criminal charges, speaking with a skilled criminal defense attorney<\/a> is an excellent idea.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Manslaughter Charges in New Jersey<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The most serious crime<\/a> in New Jersey is murder. However, there are other types of homicide charges in the Garden State.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey law recognizes four types of manslaughter charges<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n