Benefits of a Fort Worth Murder Lawyer

We have a great deal of experience and success in defending murder, homicide and manslaughter cases. In one of our cases, the state was seeking life without parole for a client who had been charged with capital murder, but our Fort Worth homicide attorneys were able to successfully demonstrate our client’s innocence and win the trial. In another case, we were able to show not only that our client was innocent of the crime, but also who actually was guilty of the crime. The case was dismissed and our client now leads a free and successful life.

We have also handled many manslaughter cases. One case, in particular, involved a client who was accused of causing the death of a man while she was intoxicated by drugs. We were able to show that she was not intoxicated at the time of the accident and that she was not guilty. The jury acquitted her, and she too was able to get her life back.

What Are The Differences Between Murder, Homicide And Manslaughter Charges In Texas?

Murder is defined as intentionally or knowingly causing the death of an individual. Capital murder is defined as the killing of more than one person in a criminal episode, committing murder while in the course of committing another crime such as sexual assault, or killing a child, police officer or fireman. Capital murder is punishable by the death penalty or life without parole. Murder is punishable by anywhere from five years to life in prison. Murder is considered a 3G, or aggravated offense, which means that any sentence for the crime of murder is not eligible for parole until at least half of the sentence has been served.

If a person is intoxicated while causing the death of an individual, it is referred to as intoxication manslaughter which is considered a second-degree felony and carries a punishment anywhere from two to twenty years. In some cases, it carries a $10,000 fine as well. Intoxication can be defined as having an alcohol concentration of .08 or greater. Alternatively, intoxication can be defined as a lack of the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of alcohol or drugs- regardless of the amount used. A person can also commit the offense of manslaughter if they recklessly cause the death of an individual.

When the death of a person occurs as the result of an individual ignoring risks that a person should normally be aware of, it is considered recklessly causing the death of an individual. While recklessness is coupled with less intent than intentionally or knowingly committing murder, it is still considered a second-degree felony and is punishable by two to twenty years in prison. There is also a lesser offense of criminally negligent homicide, which occurs when a person commits some type of action that causes the death of a person. Under some circumstances, criminally negligent homicide might appear to have occurred accidentally, but closer examination would reveal that it occurred as a result of the perpetrator’s risky behavior. This type of homicide is punishable by 180 days to two years in the state jail felony facility, as well as a $10,000 fine.

What Is The Difference between Voluntary And Involuntary Manslaughter?

There is no longer a distinction between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter under Texas law. Texas state law differentiates between capital murder, murder, manslaughter, recklessly causing the death of an individual and criminally negligent homicide.

Under previous law, there was a distinct manslaughter offense relating to acts of passion that resulted in the death of a person. If a jury were to find that the person was acting under the immediate influence of such passion arising from an addict of a cause, the charge could be reduced to a second-degree felony and the punishment could be reduced. The classic example of this type of manslaughter is a situation in which a person catches their spouse being unfaithful.

For more information on Murder, Homicide & Manslaughter Charges, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling today.