Is manslaughter classified as a felony or misdemeanor?

Manslaughter is classified as a felony because it involves the unlawful killing of another person without premeditation, which distinguishes it from murder. The severity of the crime and the potential consequences for the offender are significant factors that categorize it as a felony. Felonies generally carry harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences and more severe consequences than misdemeanors, which are less serious offenses.

Understanding the classification of manslaughter as a felony is crucial because it informs not just the legal repercussions for the individual charged but also the societal implications and how the justice system approaches such cases, emphasizing the seriousness of taking a human life, even without intent to kill.