What Are the Penalties for Manslaughter in Indiana?

Manslaughter can result in years behind bars, whether you’re ultimately charged with voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter. The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC wants to help you avoid the harshest penalties associated with these offenses. Instead of talking to police to try to explain what happened, contact our legal team for a free and confidential consultation. 

 Involuntary Manslaughter Penalties 

Involuntary manslaughter is classified a Level 5 felony. As such, the law provides for a fixed prison term of between one and six years. The advisory sentence is three years. Additionally, you can be fined up to $10,000. 

Voluntary Manslaughter Penalties 

Because voluntary manslaughter involves knowing or intentional behavior, it is penalized more harshly. It is classified as a Level 2 felony, which carries a prison sentence of a fixed term of between ten and thirty years. The advisory sentence is seventeen and one-half years. Additionally, you can be fined up to $10,000. 

Voluntary manslaughter is similar to murder. However, it is committed while acting under sudden heat, which is a mitigating factor. 

Factors Courts Consider During Sentencing 

As you can see, both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter have significant ranges in the penalties that can be assigned. Courts can consider various factors when determining a defendant’s sentence, including:

• Brutality of the crime
• The circumstances surrounding the crime
• The defendant’s remorse
• A lack of a criminal history
• Lack of intent
• Other mitigating or aggravating factors

Why Legal Representation Matters

A conviction for manslaughter is not a foregone conclusion. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help by:

• Reviewing your criminal charges: Your criminal defense lawyer can review the charges against you to determine if you were charged with the proper crime.
• Negotiating a plea agreement: Involuntary manslaughter charges might be reduced because you had no intent to kill the victim. Voluntary manslaughter charges could be reduced to a lower sentence if there were compelling reasons for why the incident occurred. 
• Representing you at trial: Your criminal defense lawyer can represent you at trial to help raise relevant defenses and mitigating factors.
• Representing you at sentencing: Whether you plead guilty or are found guilty by a judge or jury, an experienced attorney can represent you during sentencing. They can highlight mitigating factors that call for a downward departure of sentencing.

The Criminal Defense Team has four of the five’s state criminal trial specialists, so you can trust that we have the skills and knowledge to fight for the best outcome possible in your particular case. Contact us today to take advantage of a free consultation. 

Contact The Criminal Defense Team for a Confidential Consultation to Discuss Your Manslaughter Case

If you are facing any type of manslaughter charges in Indiana, you need experienced legal counsel to defend you from the harshest penalties possible. An experienced Indianapolis criminal trial lawyer from The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC can build a strong defense in your case. Call us at (317) 678-9853 to arrange a confidential consultation.