Murder

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:

The victim was a peace officer or fireman killed on duty
The defendant intentionally kills while committing another felony, like kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, etc.
The defendant is paid to commit murder or pays someone to commit murder
The defendant kills someone while trying to escape from jail
The defendant murders another person while in jail
The defendant murders more than one person
The defendant murders a child younger than six years of age
The defendant murders someone in retaliation for their service in the judiciary

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:

Lack of intent
Lack of knowledge
Insanity
Intoxication
Self-defense
“Heat of passion” (Example: The defendant was provoked by fear, rage, terror or some other extreme emotion.)

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:

Actual Innocence (not doing it is always the best defense)
Self-Defense (where you were NOT the aggressor and faced a mortal threat)
Insanity
“Heat of passion”

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.

Jarvis & Kelly are the ace defenders you want on your side.