Criminal law |
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Elements |
Scope of criminal liability |
Severity of offense |
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Inchoate offenses |
Offense against the person |
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Sexual offenses |
Crimes against property |
Crimes against justice |
Crimes against the public |
Crimes against animals |
Crimes against the state |
Defenses to liability |
Other common-law areas |
Portals |
Manslaughter is a common law legal term for homicide considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco in the 7th century BC.[1]
The definition of manslaughter differs among legal jurisdictions.