How is "negligent homicide" defined?

Negligent homicide refers to causing the death of another individual as a result of reckless or negligent behavior. This definition emphasizes that the death is not the result of an intentional act; instead, it arises from a failure to exercise a reasonable standard of care that a person would typically observe in similar situations. The behavior leading to the death must be careless enough to constitute a breach of duty towards others, reflecting a disregard for human life.

This contrasts with other options that describe different actions. For instance, intentional killing is clearly a willful act and does not involve negligence, while accidental death through reckless behavior typically falls under manslaughter statutes rather than negligent homicide. Self-defense implies a defensive act in response to an immediate threat, which, by nature, does not align with the concept of negligence, as it involves the intention to protect oneself rather than a failure to behave reasonably. Therefore, the definition aligning with negligent homicide is one that incorporates elements of recklessness or negligence leading to fatal consequences.