In Texas, there’s Capital Murder, Murder, Manslaughter or Criminally Negligent Homicide.
Whatever the term, you are looking at the most severe, life-changing accusation a person can ever face, and you will need serious legal help immediately.
Capital Murder automatically carries the death penalty in Texas. For a murder to be elevated to Capital Murder, prosecutors must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
Murder in Texas can carry a sentence of between 5 and 99 years in prison, and a fine limited to $10,000. A “heat of passion” case will face 2 to 20 years in prison. Defenses against a Murder charge in Texas include:
Manslaughter in Texas is a second degree felony, and prosecutors must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant recklessly caused the death of another individual. This charge typically carries a sentence of between two and twenty years in state prison and/or a fine no more than $10,000. Available defenses include but are not limited to:
With Criminally Negligent Homicide… a person is accused of killing someone by engaging in terrible behavior he should’ve known would pose an extreme danger and an unjustifiable risk. This offense is a state jail felony and comes with 180 days to 2 years in state jail.
At Jarvis & Kelly we will put every resource available to work on your case and craft the powerful defense you need for the fight of your life.