Hawaii Involuntary Manslaughter Law
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated June 20, 2016
Criminal homicide, the unlawful killing of another person, is broken down into several different crimes in Hawaii: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter (called voluntary manslaughter in some states), and negligent homicide (also known as involuntary manslaughter). This article focuses on Hawaii's involuntary manslaughter law that criminalizes unintentional killings that result from criminal negligence.
Negligent Homicide (Involuntary Manslaughter) in Hawaii
Code Section |
Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 707-702.5 to 707-704: Negligent Homicide |
What's Prohibited? |
First-Degree Negligent Homicide: Causing the death of:
Second-Degree Negligent Homicide: Causing the death of:
Third-Degree Negligent Homicide: Causing the death of another person while operating a vehicle in a manner that qualifies as simple negligence. |
Definition of "Simple Negligence"
|
A person can act with "simple negligence" with respect to a person's conduct, the attendant circumstances, or a potential result of their own conduct.
|
Penalties |
|
Related Crimes
What happens when a person's reckless or criminally negligent actions result in injury to another, rather than in death? In Hawaii, this person would likely be guilty of either first or second-degree negligent injury.
First-Degree Negligent Injury:
- Causing serious bodily injury to another person by operating a vehicle in a negligent manner, or
- Causing substantial bodily injury to a vulnerable user by operating a vehicle in a negligent manner
Second-Degree Negligent Injury: An offender is guilty of second-degree negligent injury if they cause substantial bodily injury to another person by operating a vehicle in a negligent manner.
Additional Resources
State laws change frequently. For case specific information regarding Hawaii's involuntary manslaughter law contact a local criminal defense lawyer.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.