What is Manslaughter in Tennessee?

Any incident that results in the loss of human life is tragic. Facing a homicide-related charge can be overwhelming and frightening, especially when you are unfamiliar with the offense or its potential penalties. Tennessee does not use the traditional manslaughter categories that many states recognize. Instead, there are several types of homicide offenses defined based on the specific circumstances of the situation. For more information and to secure the help of a skilled legal professional during your case, read on and set up your free consultation with an experienced Memphis criminal defense attorney today.

What Types of Manslaughter Are Recognized in TN?

Most people are familiar with the terms voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Tennessee does outline voluntary manslaughter as a criminal offense, but state law varies for other forms of homicide. Below are the various types of manslaughter defined under TN Code § 39-13-211 to 39-13-215.

• Voluntary manslaughter
• Criminally negligent homicide
• Vehicular homicide
• Reckless homicide

Criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide, and reckless homicide are comparable to involuntary manslaughter as defined under other jurisdictions.

How is Manslaughter Defined?

If you are being charged with manslaughter, understanding the charges against you is crucial in protecting yourself. The definitions of each type of manslaughter recognized under Tennessee law are as follows.

• Voluntary manslaughter: The intentional or knowing killing of another person in a state of passion produced by adequate provocation sufficient to lead a reasonable person to act irrationally
• Criminally negligent homicide: Criminally negligent conduct that results in the death of a person
• Vehicular homicide: The reckless killing of another person by the operation of an automobile, airplane, boat, or other motor vehicle as the result of conduct creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to a person, the driver’s intoxication, drag racing, or the driver’s conduct in a construction zone where the person killed was an employee of the department of transportation or a highway construction worker
• Reckless homicide: The reckless killing of another person

Manslaughter is the accidental killing of another person without malice aforethought. Even in a voluntary manslaughter case where the individual meant to take the person’s life, it was not premeditated or planned ahead, and was instead the result of a sudden emotional state.

What Are the Penalties Associated with a Conviction?

The penalties associated with a manslaughter conviction will vary depending on the type of offense and the details of the situation. However, the standard grading and consequences for each type of manslaughter are listed below.

Voluntary manslaughter:

• Class B felony
• 8 to 30 years in prison
• Fines up to $25,000

Criminally negligent homicide:

• Class E felony
• 1 to 6 years in prison
• Fines up to $3,000

Reckless homicide:

• Class D felony
• 2 to 12 years in prison
• Fines up to $5,000

Vehicular homicide is unique as it can constitute a Class B, C, or D felony. As a Class B felony, it can result in 8 to 30 years in prison and fines of $25,000. A Class C felony can yield a term of 3 to 15 years and fines up to $10,000, and a Class D felony can result in 2 to 12 years in prison and fines of $5,000.

As you can see, the criminal consequences of a manslaughter conviction can be severe. Obtain legal help from a skilled defense attorney at Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, PC today.