Georgia § 16-5-2 - Voluntary manslaughter.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-5-2 — Voluntary manslaughter., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-5-2. Voluntary manslaughter.
A person commits the offense of voluntary manslaughter when he causes the death of another human being under circumstances which would otherwise be murder and if he acts solely as the result of a sudden, violent, and irresistible passion resulting from serious provocation sufficient to excite such passion in a reasonable person; however, if there should have been an interval between the provocation and the killing sufficient for the voice of reason and humanity to be heard, of which the jury in all cases shall be the judge, the killing shall be attributed to deliberate revenge and be punished as murder. A person who commits the offense of voluntary manslaughter, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years. (Laws 1833, Cobb's 1851 Digest, pp. 783, 784; Ga. L. 1858, p. 99, § 1; Code 1863, §§ 4222, 4223; Code 1868, §§ 4259, 4260; Code 1873, §§ 4325, 4326; Code 1882, §§ 4325, 4326; Penal Code 1895, §§ 65, 66; Penal Code 1910, §§ 65, 66; Code 1933, §§ 26-1007, 26-1008; Code 1933, § 26-1102, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 1249, § 1.) Law reviews. - For article recommending more consistency in age requirements of laws pertaining to the welfare of minors, see 6 Ga. St. B. J. 189 (1969). For annual survey of criminal law and procedure, see 35 Mercer L. Rev. 103 (1983). For note, "Edge v. State: The Modified Merger Rule Comes Up Short," see 44 Mercer L. Rev. 697 (1993). For comment on Gaines v. Wolcott, 119 Ga. App. 313 , 167 S.E.2d 366 (1969), see 21 Mercer L. Rev. 325 (1969).
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 16-5-2
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-5-2 cover?
Section 16-5-2 ("Voluntary manslaughter.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Georgia § 16-5-2?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-5-2" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Georgia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
How does Georgia § 16-5-2 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.