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 Nevada, homicide is defined as the unlawful killing of one human being by another. It is categorized into different types based on the circumstances and the intent of the person responsible. Murder, which is the most serious form of homicide, is divided into first-degree and second-degree murder. First-degree murder involves premeditation, deliberation, or the commission of certain felonies, while second-degree murder lacks premeditation but still involves malice aforethought. Manslaughter in Nevada is considered a lesser form of homicide and is categorized as either voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person kills in the heat of passion, while involuntary manslaughter typically involves unintentional killing resulting from negligence, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence that results in a fatality. Nevada law also recognizes justifiable homicide, such as in cases of self-defense, and excusable homicide, which occurs by accident or misfortune. The specific charges and penalties for homicide offenses are detailed in Nevada's penal code, and they vary based on the degree of the crime and other factors involved in the incident.