First degree: you planned it out beforehand and the killed someone e.g. many murder cases in drama and fiction.
Second degree: you didn't necessarily plan it, but you definitely meant to kill the person e.g. armed robbery, bar fight resulting in death, drive-by shooting, gang fights etc.
Voluntary manslaughter: you didn't necessarily mean to kill them beforehand or have any real need to kill them but you lost your shit and did. Also called crime of passion murder or third degree murder. E.g. person A learns person B is cheating on them with person C so in the moment of discovery they're filled with rage and kill person B, C or both.
Involuntary manslaughter: you didn't mean to kill the person at all and were aware of what you were doing but you were an idiot and caused someone else's death, e.g. DUI, vehicular manslaughter, criminal negligence, unsafe working conditions resulting in death etc.
A disclaimer however, I don't have a law degree or any sort of legal voice, but only did research for the sake of writing and helping others with their terminology should they not now the different classifications of homicide according to U.S law.
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