Involuntary Manslaughter Classification

The criminal act of manslaughter occurs when a person commits the actus rues of homicide but does not have the necessary mens rea to afford them liability for murder. Manslaughter covers all unlawful killings that are not murder. Although manslaughter is classed as a singular offence it can be broken down into two categories and then further sub-categorized. These categories are used as a label to describe unlawful killings. The two categories are voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. There are certain unclear criteria which must be met in each category, involuntary manslaughter is a very unclear area of law which has vaguely defined boundaries which covers the wide and varied ground between murder and accidental death. It is clear and obvious that the offence of manslaughter needs to continue to exist but calls for reform. …show more content…
Voluntary manslaughter includes responsibility crimes, provocation and suicide pacts. The two sub-categories of involved are constructive manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter. The two concepts overlap due to the similarity of the crimes they govern but it is gross negligence which covers a wider range of conduct. In constructive manslaughter it's criteria which includes the necessity of committing an unlawful act. Some cases straddle both concepts of involuntary manslaughter but a verdict of manslaughter is available on either