Is Involuntary Manslaughter a Federal Crime?

Is Involuntary Manslaughter a Federal Crime?

Involuntary manslaughter is a crime that involves accidentally causing the death of another person. Unlike murder, involuntary manslaughter does not require intent to kill. Instead, it occurs when someone dies as the result of reckless behavior or criminal negligence. But is involuntary manslaughter a federal crime, or is it prosecuted at the state level? The answer is complicated.

In the United States, most violent crimes like murder and manslaughter are prosecuted by state governments, not the federal government. This is because criminal law is primarily a matter of state law under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. However, there are some circumstances where a charge of involuntary manslaughter can become a federal case.

Federal Jurisdiction for Involuntary Manslaughter

Federal courts have jurisdiction over involuntary manslaughter charges when:

• The crime occurs on federal land or property, like a military base, national park, or other federal facility
• It involves a federal official, such as a federal law enforcement officer or government employee
• It occurs during the commission of another federal crime, like bank robbery or kidnapping
• It involves interstate commercial activities regulated by the federal government, like trucking companies or airlines
• The victim was engaged in a federally protected activity, such as voting in a federal election

So while involuntary manslaughter is mostly prosecuted at the state level, federal charges can arise when there is a distinct federal interest involved. The federal involuntary manslaughter statute is 18 U.S.C. § 1112.

State Laws on Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter is prosecuted more often by state governments under state criminal laws. Most states divide involuntary manslaughter into two categories:

1. Criminally negligent manslaughter – This involves causing a death through conduct that grossly deviates from ordinary care. Examples include leaving a baby in a hot car, handling a gun recklessly, or giving someone medication incorrectly.
2. Unlawful act manslaughter – Also called “misdemeanor manslaughter,” this covers deaths caused during an unlawful act that is not a felony. Examples include deaths from fistfights, drag racing, or reckless driving.

State laws vary in how they define involuntary manslaughter and assign punishment. In many states it is a felony offense punishable by years in prison. However, some states charge it as a misdemeanor with a lighter jail sentence. The victim’s family may also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for civil damages.

Federal vs. State Prosecution

When an involuntary manslaughter case could potentially be charged at both the federal and state level, prosecutors have discretion over which jurisdiction to select. Factors like evidence, resources, and sentencing guidelines can influence this choice.

Sometimes federal and state prosecutors will collaborate or share information through a process called “parallel prosecution.” Other times, the case may be tried separately in both state and federal court, which does not violate double jeopardy protections.

Federal Sentencing Guidelines

If convicted of federal involuntary manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1112, sentencing is determined by the United States Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Key provisions include:

• The base offense level is 14 if the conduct was criminally negligent, or 22 if it involved reckless conduct.
• The sentence can be enhanced if the offense involved vulnerable victims, dangerous weapons, or other aggravating factors.
• With no prior criminal history, level 14 carries a sentence of 15-21 months and level 22 carries 41-51 months under the guidelines.
• Judges have discretion to depart from the guidelines and statutory maximum sentences are 10 years in prison unless a dangerous weapon was involved.

So in the federal system, sentencing typically ranges from 1-5 years depending on the circumstances. The guidelines provide a framework but judges can impose harsher or more lenient sentences in many cases.

State Sentencing Variations

Sentencing for involuntary manslaughter varies widely in different states. Some general patterns:

• Most states classify it as a felony with maximum sentences of 5-15 years in state prison.
• A minority of states punish it as a misdemeanor with less than 1 year in jail.
• Sentences tend to be longer when the conduct was extremely reckless like drunk driving.
• Some states have separate crimes like vehicular manslaughter or negligent homicide with different sentences.

Overall, sentencing can be highly inconsistent between different states. Unlike the federal system, most states do not use sentencing guidelines so there is greater disparity.

Recent Federal Cases

While not as common as state prosecutions, here are some recent notable federal involuntary manslaughter cases:

• In 2018, the captain of a duck boat that sank in Missouri was charged with federal involuntary manslaughter after 17 passengers drowned. The charges alleged misconduct, negligence, and dangerous conditions played a role in the deaths.
• In 2019, an engineer in California was charged over his role in a 2018 wildfire that killed 85 people. Federal prosecutors alleged the engineer’s negligence in failing to inspect power lines caused multiple deaths.
• In 2020, federal charges were brought against reality TV star Todd Chrisley over a car crash in Tennessee that killed a postal worker. The charges alleged reckless driving and negligence in the operation of the vehicle.

These cases illustrate some ways federal involuntary manslaughter charges may arise from high-profile accidents resulting in loss of life.

Defenses in Federal Cases

For a federal involuntary manslaughter charge, possible defenses include:

• No criminal negligence – Argue your actions were not criminally negligent but merely accidental.
• No causation – Argue that your conduct did not actually cause the victim’s death.
• Self-defense – Argue your actions were justified to protect yourself from harm.
• Diminished capacity – Argue you lacked the mental state for criminal negligence due to mental illness or disability.
• Intoxication – Argue you were involuntarily intoxicated and unable to appreciate the risks.

The key is providing evidence to undermine the prosecution’s claim that you were criminally negligent and directly caused the death of the victim. But self-defense and diminished capacity defenses can also sometimes apply.

Federal Sentencing Outcomes

According to data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission, most federal involuntary manslaughter defendants receive prison time:

• In FY 2020, 77.1% of defendants were sentenced to prison.
• The average prison sentence was 37 months.
• 22.9% received no prison term, compared to 12.5% of all federal offenders.

While sentences vary case-by-case, federal involuntary manslaughter defendants are very likely to serve at least some prison time if convicted. The data shows most receive multi-year sentences under the guidelines.

Role of the Victim’s Family

The family of an involuntary manslaughter victim plays an important role in the federal criminal justice process. Key rights include:

• The right to be notified about court proceedings, the status of the case, and any plea bargains.
• The right to attend court hearings and proceedings.
• The right to provide a victim impact statement at sentencing about how the crime affected them.
• The right to receive restitution or compensation ordered by the court.
• The right to be informed about the defendant’s custody status and release from confinement.

Federal prosecutors have a duty to consult with victims and keep them informed. The family can request these rights and provide input to influence charging decisions, plea deals, sentencing, and parole outcomes.

Conclusion

While involuntary manslaughter is primarily prosecuted at the state level, federal charges can arise when there is a distinct federal interest. Sentencing in federal cases often involves multi-year prison terms under advisory guidelines. The victim’s family plays an important role through rights like restitution, victim statements, and participation in the process. Overall, involuntary manslaughter remains a serious and consequential charge at both the federal and state level.