While many people use the terms “manslaughter” and “murder” interchangeably, the truth is that these are two separate crimes that carry with them different types of punishments. Manslaughter is defined as unlawfully killing another person without malice; it is broken up into three different kinds according to Idaho law:

• Voluntary manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another person when in the heat of the moment; unlike murder, there was no plan to carry out the crime, it simply happened while provoked.

• Involuntary manslaughter is the killing of a person when carrying out another unlawful act or while recklessly or negligently operating a deadly weapon.

• Vehicular manslaughter is the killing of another person while operating a motor vehicle.

Crimes of this nature carry with them severe penalties but are usually not punishable by capital punishment. Depending on the details of the exact crime that you are convicted of, you could face anything from fines up to $15,000 to imprisonment up to fifteen years. If the person killed was the parent of a child, you may be required to make child support payments to the child left behind in the wake of the crime. Penalties of this nature are not short-term and you cannot leave your future up to chance if you are at risk of them. Do not hesitate to contact Charles Crafts, Attorney at Law as quickly as you can to help combat your charges.