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 Alabama, manslaughter is defined under Section 13A-6-3 of the Alabama Code as the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, either express or implied. It is considered a Class B felony. Alabama recognizes both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person acts in the heat of passion caused by provocation recognized by law, and before a reasonable time for the passion to cool and for reason to reassert itself. Involuntary manslaughter in Alabama occurs when a person recklessly causes the death of another person, or causes the death of another person by committing a misdemeanor or a low-level felony. Manslaughter in Alabama is punishable by a prison term, which for a Class B felony can range from 2 to 20 years. The specific circumstances of the offense can influence the severity of the punishment within this range.