New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 125.20 — Manslaughter in the first degree
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 125: Homicide and Related Offenses, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 125.20
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
125.20 Manslaughter in the first degree.
A person is guilty of manslaughter in the first degree when:
1. With intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, he
causes the death of such person or of a third person; or
2. With intent to cause the death of another person, he causes the
death of such person or of a third person under circumstances which do
not constitute murder because he acts under the influence of extreme
emotional disturbance, as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of
section 125.25. The fact that homicide was committed under the influence
of extreme emotional disturbance constitutes a mitigating circumstance
reducing murder to manslaughter in the first degree and need not be
proved in any prosecution initiated under this subdivision; or
4. Being eighteen years old or more and with intent to cause physical
injury to a person less than eleven years old, the defendant recklessly
engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of serious physical injury
to such person and thereby causes the death of such person.
Manslaughter in the first degree is a class B felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What class of felony is manslaughter in the first degree in New York?
Manslaughter in the first degree is a Class B Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 125.20.
Which New York statute covers manslaughter in the first degree?
Manslaughter in the first degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 125.20 (Manslaughter in the first degree).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.