Under what condition does voluntary manslaughter occur?

Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person intentionally kills another person but does so under circumstances that could cause a reasonable person to lose self-control, usually characterized by a sudden and intense emotional reaction. In this context, "sudden heat" refers to a state of rage, anger, or passion that prompts the individual to commit the act without premeditation.

This legal concept is important because it differentiates voluntary manslaughter from other forms of homicide. It acknowledges that while the act of killing is intentional, it is mitigated by the emotional turmoil experienced by the perpetrator, thereby not qualifying as murder, which typically involves intent and planning.

The other options do not align with the definition of voluntary manslaughter. Killing without intent would typically suggest a different charge, such as involuntary manslaughter. Killing during the commission of a crime would likely result in a charge of felony murder, and self-defense cases involve justification rather than a loss of self-control. Thus, the stipulation of "sudden heat" as a condition for voluntary manslaughter is what makes this answer correct.