{"id":375892,"date":"2016-04-11T01:23:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-manslaughter-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-02-04T14:30:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T19:30:01","slug":"oregon-manslaughter-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-manslaughter-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Oregon Manslaughter Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Oregon Manslaughter Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, 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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\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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Manslaughter in Oregon<\/span> is defined as causing another person’s death through recklessness or negligence without intent to kill. It is categorized into first-degree<\/span> and second-degree<\/span> manslaughter<\/span>. First-degree<\/span> manslaughter<\/span> involves extreme indifference<\/span> to human life, while second-degree<\/span> lacks this level of disregard.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

In criminal law, murder is the intentional killing of a human being<\/span> by another person. Manslaughter consists of the death of a human caused by another human through recklessness or criminal negligence<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In Oregon<\/span>, manslaughter is one of four degrees of criminal homicide<\/span>. The state recognizes two degrees of manslaughter and the related charge of criminally negligent homicide<\/span>. In this article, we\u2019ll explain the elements of these charges and their accompanying penalties. The stakes are high in an Oregon<\/span> manslaughter<\/span> case, so it\u2019s best to consult a local criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a> if you\u2019re currently facing charges.<\/p>\n

How Oregon<\/span> Defines Manslaughter<\/h2>\n

Under Oregon<\/span> law<\/span>, manslaughter refers to causing another person’s death recklessly or negligently, without intending a death to occur. Under these statutes, recklessness means a conscious awareness of an extreme risk to human life and safety. The defendant must display a disregard of the risk beyond that which a reasonable person would display.<\/p>\n

For example, someone who drives at high speed in the rain knows that there is a risk of causing an accident. A reasonable person would weigh the need to do so (for instance, an emergency requiring a rapid response) versus the need to drive safely.<\/p>\n

There are three different charges that can be brought related to a death by manslaughter. Let\u2019s take a look at each of them.<\/p>\n

First-Degree<\/span> Manslaughter<\/span><\/h3>\n

Under the Oregon<\/span> Revised Statutes<\/span>, first-degree<\/span> manslaughter<\/span><\/a> means causing another person’s death in a manner that shows extreme indifference<\/span> to the value of human life<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Defendants can plead not guilty to a charge of murder with an affirmative defense<\/span> of intentional homicide under extreme emotional disturbance<\/span><\/a>. This reduces the offense to first-degree<\/span> manslaughter<\/span>.<\/p>\n

First-degree<\/span> manslaughter<\/span> also includes:<\/p>\n