Have you been charged with manslaughter in the first degree? The state of New York is well known for giving out a hard sentence in manslaughter cases. In many jurisdictions, first degree manslaughter considered voluntary manslaughter because of the intent behind the crime. is If you think you may have been charged with this serious crime, make it your top priority to avoid a first degree manslaughter sentence in New York.

§ 125.20 Manslaughter in the first degree.

A person is found guilty of manslaughter in the first degree when:
1. He causes the death of another person or of a third person while
intending to inflict serious physical injury or harm; or

2. With intent to cause the death of another person, he causes the
death of such person or of a third person under circumstances which do
not constitute murder because he acts under the influence of extreme
emotional disturbance, as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of
section 125.25. The fact that homicide was committed under the influence
of extreme emotional disturbance constitutes a mitigating circumstance
reducing murder to manslaughter in the first degree and need not be
proved in any prosecution initiated under this subdivision; or

3. He commits an abortional act on a female whose pregnancy is further along
than 24 weeks, unless such abortional act is justifiable pursuant to subdivision
three of section 125.05; or

4. Being eighteen years old or more and with intent to cause physical
injury to a person less than eleven years old, the defendant recklessly
engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of serious physical injury
to such person and thereby causes the death of such person.

Manslaughter in the first degree is a class B felony. A fairly common type of manslaughter is vehicular assault/ vehicular manslaughter.

If you or someone you know have been charged with first degree manslaughter in New York, call the law offices of Troy A. Smith at (212) 537-4029.