Morristown Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

New Jersey Manslaughter Charges (N.J.S. 2C:11-4)

The death of another human being can be incredibly complicated when it comes to holding someone responsible for the death. The extent to which an individual should be held liable for the death can be assessed in a number of ways. Whether or not that individual intended to kill is a major point in a manslaughter trial. If you have been accused of manslaughter in Morris County, it is absolutely essential that you speak to an experienced Morristown criminal defense attorney immediately.

The Difference Between Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter

There are two different types of manslaughter charges. Voluntary manslaughter entails that an individual exhibited a clear intent to kill, which resulted directly in the death of another individual. While similar to murder, voluntary manslaughter is considered a lesser but still very serious offense. Even if an individual caused the death of another person and intended to do so, his or her actions were not premeditated or planned in advance, such as in cases in which a death resulted from a fight, angry blow up, or other situation. In this sense, these crimes are sometimes referred to as "crimes of passion."

Involuntary manslaughter, on the other hand, means that while an individual's actions or negligence resulted in the death of another individual, the responsible individual did not intend to kill that person. Death by involuntary manslaughter is usually the result of an accident or reckless action.

Defense Against Manslaughter Allegations

Manslaughter defense depends heavily on establishing the defendant's frame of mind when the death occurred. A skilled defense attorney will be able to clearly define their client's state of mind and disprove any unfounded claims to the existence of murderous intent. I take a close personal interest in helping my clients through these tough situations, and in fighting for your freedom from the moment I take on the case.