California Criminal Jury Instructions on Involuntary Manslaughter

An unlawful killing done without the intent to kill and without a conscious disregard for human life is involuntary manslaughter. An unlawful killing that results from a willful act done with full knowledge and awareness that the person is endangering the life of another and done in conscious disregard of that risk is voluntary manslaughter or murder. An unlawful killing that results from a willful act committed without intent to kill and without conscious disregard of the risk to human life is involuntary manslaughter. (CALCRIM No. 580.) California Criminal Jury Instructions on Imperfect Self-defense: A killing that would otherwise be murder may be reduced to voluntary manslaughter if the jury finds the defendant killed when he actually believed he was in imminent danger of being killed or suffering severe injury, actually believed deadly force was necessary to prevent that outcome but was unreasonable in believing the danger existed or the deadly response necessary. (CALCRIM No. 571.)