#this is not mine
First degree: You planned it out beforehand and then killed someone (example: many murder cases in drama and fiction)
Second degree: You didn’t necessarily plan it, but you definitely meant to kill the person. (examples: armed robbbery, bar fight resulting in death, drive-by shooting, gang fights, etc etc etc)
Voluntary manslaughter: You didn’t necessarily mean to kill them beforehand or have any real need to kill them, but you lost your shit and did. Also called a “crime of passion” murder, or third degree murder. (example: person A learns that person B is cheating on them with person C so in the moment of this discovery they’re filled with rage and kill person B, C, or both. Also see: The Warfstache Affair.)
Involuntary manslaughter: You didn’t mean to kill the person at all and were aware of what you were doing but you were an idiot and caused someone else’s death (examples: DUI, vehicular manslaughter, criminal negligence, unsafe working conditions resulting in death, etc)
a disclaimer however that I do not have a law degree nor any sort of legal voice, but only did research for the sake of writing and helping others with their terminology should they not know the different classifications of homicide according to U.S. law
writing help, but hey, I am a criminal justice major and if y’all have any questions about U.S. law, I’d be more than happy to help with what knowledge I have!
