I hope you don't deem this question too stupid. I have tried to find the answer to this but I have not succeeded.
If someone is charged with something, as for example Murder, can they then be sentenced guilty on something like Manslaughter instead or the other way around?
My impression was that if I am charged with something I am either guilty or not guilty for that crime. So if I'm charged with murder and my attourney believes he has a good case showing no intent on my count and thus renders me not guilty, can the judge or jury sentence me guilty for manslaughter instead since the killing may in fact have been accident?
This is of course only a general inquiry and I have no intention of ever being stupid enough to take anothers life. But I'm interested in law and found nothing on this. Perhaps the question is just that stupid.
Either way I would be very glad for a response.
Thank you.

