Homicide is the act of one person causing the death of another person. Not all homicides are murder—some are manslaughter due to mitigating circumstances—and some are lawful when justified by an affirmative defense such as self-defense or insanity.

Criminal homicide generally involves (1) intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or (2) negligence that causes the death of another person. Criminal homicide committed with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury is generally charged as the criminal offense of murder (committed with intent and with premeditation or malice) or as voluntary manslaughter or second degree murder (committed with intent but without premeditation or malice).

And criminal homicide caused by negligence is generally charged as the criminal offense of involuntary manslaughter—for example, when a person is driving recklessly or speeding and hits another motor vehicle or pedestrian, causing the death of the other motorist or the pedestrian. A person driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol who hits another motor vehicle or pedestrian, causing the death of the other motorist or the pedestrian, may be charged with involuntary manslaughter, or with a more specific offense like intoxication manslaughter or vehicular homicide—depending on applicable state laws.

Criminal homicide laws vary from state to state—including the names, degrees of severity, and punishments. These laws are generally found in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Iowa, homicide is defined as the killing of one person by another. It can be classified into different categories, including murder and manslaughter, based on the circumstances and the intent of the perpetrator. Murder, which is the most serious form of homicide, is typically charged when there is intent to cause death or serious injury, and it can be further divided into first-degree and second-degree murder. First-degree murder involves premeditation or specific felonious conduct, while second-degree murder lacks premeditation. Manslaughter in Iowa is usually categorized as voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person intentionally causes death under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to become emotionally or mentally disturbed. Involuntary manslaughter, on the other hand, is when a person unintentionally causes the death of another by acting recklessly or engaging in misdemeanor conduct that results in death. Specific offenses like vehicular homicide are charged when a death is caused by the use of a vehicle, for example, by someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The penalties for criminal homicide in Iowa vary according to the severity of the offense and can range from fines to life imprisonment.