What characterizes voluntary manslaughter in Georgia law?

Voluntary manslaughter in Georgia law is characterized by the occurrence of a sudden, violent, and irresistible passion that causes an individual to lose self-control and act in a way that results in another person's death. This definition captures the essence of how voluntary manslaughter differs from more straightforward murder charges. The key aspect here is the presence of a provocation that leads the offender to react in the heat of the moment, rather than through premeditation or malice.

In contrast, an intended act resulting in death pertains more to murder, where there is a deliberate intention to kill. Negligent conduct leading to harm refers to involuntary manslaughter, which involves a lack of intent but results in death due to negligent actions. Lastly, the commission of a felony leading to death would typically be classified under felony murder, where a death occurs during the perpetration of a felony, regardless of intent to kill. This distinction highlights how voluntary manslaughter is specifically tied to emotional and psychological factors at the moment the act is committed.