Manslaughter Attorney in Bentonville

Facing a Manslaughter Charge in Bentonville? Here’s What Matters Most

Being arrested or investigated for manslaughter in Bentonville can be overwhelming. If you or a loved one are in this situation, you probably have urgent questions about your future and your freedom. The Arkansas legal process can move quickly in cases like this, and the choices you make today can affect your outcome for years.

Manslaughter charges bring immediate pressure from law enforcement and prosecutors. Bond hearings may occur quickly at the Benton County Detention Center, and you may be uncertain about what to expect in the Benton County Circuit Court. The risk is real—serious penalties, including prison time, are on the table.

I know the stakes because I have handled complex felony charges like manslaughter in Northwest Arkansas for many years. My focus is to support you, defend your rights, and navigate each step in a way that safeguards your future.

Call Cody W. Dowden, Attorney at Law at (479) 777-0640 or reach out online to speak with a manslaughter attorney in Bentonville. I offer affordable fees and a free consultation to help you understand your rights and your path forward.

Understanding Manslaughter Laws in Arkansas

In the Arkansas legal system, manslaughter is distinct from murder primarily due to the mental state of the accused and the circumstances surrounding the death. Under Arkansas Code § 5-10-104, a person commits manslaughter if they cause the death of another person under very specific conditions. 

My firm carefully analyzes every case to determine which of these legal "buckets" the prosecution is trying to use:

• Extreme Emotional Disturbance: This is often referred to as a "heat of passion" crime. It occurs when a person causes a death under circumstances that would typically be murder, but they were under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance for which there is a reasonable excuse.
• Recklessness: You can be charged with manslaughter if you recklessly cause the death of another person. In Arkansas, "reckless" means you consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death would occur.
• Assisting Suicide: Purposely causing or aiding another person to commit suicide is classified as manslaughter under state law.
• Felony Negligence: If a death is caused negligently during the commission or attempted commission of a felony (other than those that trigger the "felony murder" rule), it may be charged as manslaughter.

It is vital to distinguish manslaughter from Negligent Homicide. While manslaughter involves "recklessness" (knowing a risk exists and ignoring it), negligent homicide involves "negligence" (failing to perceive a risk that a reasonable person should have seen). 

Types of Manslaughter Charges

The main types of manslaughter in Arkansas include:

• Voluntary manslaughter: When someone knowingly causes another’s death in a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion.
• Involuntary manslaughter: When reckless conduct—or an unlawful act not amounting to a felony—results in a death.
• Vehicular manslaughter: Sometimes charged after a fatal accident involving a vehicle.

As a Bentonville manslaughter lawyer, I frequently fight to have charges reduced by demonstrating that a client's actions, while tragic, did not meet the higher legal threshold of recklessness.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Manslaughter Convictions in Arkansas

Manslaughter is classified as a Class B Felony in Arkansas. The consequences of a conviction are severe and long-lasting.

• Incarceration: A conviction carries a sentencing range of 5 to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
• Fines: You may be ordered to pay fines up to $15,000.
• Probation and Parole: Even if you avoid the maximum prison term, you will likely face years of strict supervision, which includes regular check-ins, travel restrictions, and drug testing.

Collateral Consequences

The punishment does not end when you leave the courtroom. I warn all my clients about the "hidden" penalties of a felony conviction:

• Loss of Civil Rights: You will lose your right to vote (until your sentence is fully discharged) and your right to possess a firearm for life.
• Employment Barriers: A felony record involving a violent death is a significant hurdle for employers. You may be barred from working in healthcare, education, or government sectors.
• Housing: Many landlords in Northwest Arkansas perform criminal background checks and may deny your application based on a Class B Felony conviction.
• Reputation: The social stigma of a manslaughter charge can alienate you from your community and family, making it difficult to rebuild your life even after serving your time.

My Comprehensive Approach to Manslaughter Defense

At my firm, I don't just review files; I build a narrative of your innocence or mitigation. My approach includes:

• Self-Defense Claims: In many cases, what the state calls manslaughter was actually a lawful act of self-defense. Arkansas's "Stand Your Ground" principles are a powerful tool in my defense arsenal.
• Accident vs. Recklessness: I work with accident reconstruction experts to show that a death was a tragic, unavoidable accident rather than a reckless act.
• Mental Health Advocacy: If the incident was triggered by an extreme emotional disturbance, I work with psychologists to explain the "reasonable excuse" for your state of mind to the jury.
• Negotiation for Lesser Charges: Because I am focused on Criminal Defense, I have the experience to negotiate with prosecutors to reduce manslaughter charges to negligent homicide or to seek alternative sentencing that avoids prison time.

Why Choose Me as Your Manslaughter Lawyer in Bentonville

Your choice of attorney truly matters in a high-stakes case. As a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, I understand the approach prosecutors use in Bentonville and throughout the region. This background allows me to anticipate challenges, spot weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and offer guidance based on my firsthand knowledge of both sides of the courtroom.

For over 15 years, I have worked within the Benton County legal system. This local experience means I know the judges, clerks, and processes crucial to a successful defense. I have earned recognition from third parties, such as inclusion in Super Lawyers (2024–2025) and Rising Stars (2017–2021), but the real difference is my hands-on work for clients.

Here’s what sets my approach apart from other options:

• You work directly with me from day one, not a junior staffer.
• I respond quickly, often sending you a detailed plan within hours of your first call.
• I combine prosecutor insight with deep local experience in manslaughter defense.
• Every step I take is designed to defend your rights and protect your record.

If you are looking for a manslaughter attorney in Bentonville who combines local knowledge with a strategic mindset and direct, personal attention, I am ready to help you face this challenge.

What to Do Right Now If You’re Accused of Manslaughter

Taking the right steps in the first hours and days after an arrest or accusation is vital to protecting your rights. You may feel pressure to answer questions, accept a plea deal, or make statements to officers. What you do now can shape your entire case.

If you have just been accused or arrested for manslaughter in Bentonville, focus on these immediate actions:

• Assert your right to remain silent until you have legal counsel present.
• Avoid discussing your case on the phone from the detention center since calls are often recorded.
• Contact a manslaughter lawyer in Bentonville as soon as possible—ideally before your first court appearance.
• Prepare any documents or information related to your situation, but only share them with your legal counsel.
• Do not discuss details of your case with friends, family members, or cellmates, as they could be called as witnesses.

I have helped many clients intervene early in serious felony cases, from arranging release at the Benton County Detention Center to working quickly to preserve evidence. Acting right away can make all the difference, so don’t delay.

Take Control Of Your Manslaughter Defense—Contact Me Today

If you are ready to act, I provide a free, confidential consultation to review your situation in detail. During this call, I listen carefully, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect at each step. You do not need to have every detail—just be prepared to share what happened so we can move forward together in Bentonville or the surrounding courts.

I focus on keeping defense accessible. My fees are affordable, with payment plans available. From your first call to the final court date, you will always work directly with me, not a junior associate. My approach means quick responses and, in many cases, a detailed plan shared with you within hours of your first call.

Call Cody W. Dowden, Attorney at Law at (479) 777-0640 or fill out our online form to discuss your manslaughter case in Bentonville. Your defense starts now.