Manslaughter is the unlawful killing or homicide of a human being without the premeditation or malice (malice aforethought) required for the criminal offense of murder.

Many states have two types of manslaughter: (1) voluntary manslaughter—the defendant intended to kill the victim, but did so in self-defense, or in the heat of passion and without premeditation, or the defendant was insane and did not understand that the killing was wrong; and (2) involuntary manslaughter—the defendant negligently or recklessly caused the death of another person—such as when a person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle and causes an accident that results in the death of another person.

Some states do not have separate criminal offenses for voluntary and involuntary manslaughter—these states may have the offense of manslaughter and identify certain aggravating factors that may enhance the penalties upon a conviction for manslaughter.

Manslaughter is a felony offense and may be punished by a lengthy prison term. Manslaughter laws are generally located in a state's statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In North Carolina, manslaughter is categorized into two types: voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, aligning with the general distinction made in many states. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person unlawfully kills another without malice but with the intention to kill or inflict serious injury, often in the heat of passion or during a sudden altercation. Involuntary manslaughter in North Carolina involves the unintentional killing of another person due to reckless or negligent behavior, such as a fatal car accident caused by drunk driving. Both offenses are considered felonies under North Carolina law. The specific statutes governing manslaughter can be found in the North Carolina General Statutes, particularly in the sections dealing with criminal law. Penalties for manslaughter convictions in North Carolina vary based on the circumstances of the case and can include significant prison time.