negligent homicide
negligent homicide — noun
1. a criminal offense that applies when a person's failure to take reasonable care
a criminal offense that applies when a person's failure to take reasonable care or follow safety rules leads to another person's death, without the intent to kill
The judge sentenced Walid to four years for negligent homicide after the scaffolding collapsed.
passive: be sentenced to [term] for negligent homicide
Yuna was charged with negligent homicide for failing to repair her delivery truck's brakes.
passive: be charged with negligent homicide for [reason]
Prosecutors argued that the hospital's decision to reduce night staff amounted to negligent homicide.
The trucking company faces a negligent homicide suit after a fatigued driver caused a crash.
In many US states, negligent homicide carries a lighter sentence than manslaughter or murder.
- manslaughter
a broader category that includes both reckless and negligent killings; often carries a heavier penalty than negligent homicide in many US states
- involuntary manslaughter
similar concept to negligent homicide but more common in UK legal systems; emphasizes the unintentional nature of the death
- murder
requires intent or malice aforethought, whereas negligent homicide is purely unintentional
- self-defense
a justified killing with no criminal liability
文法句型
be charged with negligent homicide
be convicted of negligent homicide
用法筆記
A legal term used mainly in US criminal law. The charge applies when death results from a failure to meet a reasonable standard of care — not from an intentional act. Distinguish from manslaughter, which can involve intentional recklessness; negligent homicide involves only carelessness or oversight.