Murder and manslaughter are two of the most serious charges you could ever face. Your life is literally on the line. If you’re found guilty of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, or capital murder, you could face decades or life in prison or even the death penalty.
That’s why you absolutely need to call a Houston manslaughter defense attorney immediately. Do not speak to anyone else until you have consulted with an attorney who understands criminal defense and the Houston court system.
I’m Jay Cohen – a Houston criminal defense lawyer. I understand what you’re up against right now. I know that your fate is hanging in the balance, and you can’t afford any mistakes in your legal defense.
You want a Houston manslaughter lawyer who will carefully scrutinize all evidence, provide you with sound legal counsel, and fight tirelessly to protect your rights and preserve your freedom.
How Texas Defines Manslaughter
Per Texas law, manslaughter is “recklessly causing the death of someone else.”
It is a second-degree felony in most cases. However, it can be a first-degree felony if it occurs while you allegedly damaged a critical infrastructure facility.
Penalties for a Manslaughter Conviction
A second-degree felony manslaughter conviction comes with the following penalties:
- Between 2 and 20 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
A first-degree felony manslaughter conviction comes with the following penalties:
- Between 5 and 99 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
Regardless of the severity of the criminal charge you face, you want to work with a criminal defense attorney from our firm.
Fines and Imprisonment Are Just Some of the Penalties
You face more than just time behind bars if you are charged with manslaughter. You may also lose your friends and family and become virtually unemployable, even if you don’t spend the rest of your life in a cell.
Your criminal record will identify you as a violent criminal, which can also affect your ability to live where you want or go to school.
Are Manslaughter and Criminally Negligent Homicide the Same Thing?
No. While they are both criminal homicide offenses under the law, they are different offenses with different penalties. Manslaughter is the result of recklessness, while criminally negligent homicide is the result of criminal negligence.
Criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony, which is punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
Manslaughter also differs from murder and capital murder. Murder and capital murder are also criminal homicide offenses, but they require at least one of the following:
- Intending to kill someone
- Knowingly killing someone
- Intending to cause severe bodily injury and killing someone in the process
- Knowingly manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1-B (fentanyl)
- Killing someone while committing or intending to commit a felony
Defenses Against Manslaughter Charges
The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense we use to poke holes in their case depends on the specifics of your case. However, we have used the following to get clients’ charges reduced or dismissed or to get a not-guilty verdict at trial.
- Self–defense: If you killed someone who was attacking you, your home, or someone else, we can argue self-defense.
- Alibi: If you have an alibi for the time the death occurred, we can get the prosecution to drop the charges.
- Mistaken identity: Eyewitness testimony can be notoriously unreliable. We may be able to prove they identified the wrong person.
- Negligence, not recklessness: We may be able to establish that the death occurred due to your negligence, not recklessness. While you will likely still face charges, they may be reduced from manslaughter to criminally negligent homicide.
Your Houston Manslaughter Lawyer for a Fair Defense
If you’re facing charges for manslaughter, murder, or other serious homicide-related charges, it’s important that you secure qualified legal counsel immediately.
The prosecution is going to bring everything they have to convict you, so you need someone capable of fighting back. You don’t want to leave your future and freedom in the hands of an inexperienced criminal defense attorney.
I offer a competent, compassionate approach to all my clients. If you let me, I’ll be a committed advocate fighting for your freedom throughout the duration of your case.
While some other attorneys may brag about having experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, I’ve always been committed to fighting for those accused of committing crimes. You can count on me to be by your side every step of the way to get you through this trying time.
I promise to always keep you educated and informed at all times, and I always value accessibility and communication so you can be sure that I’ll always be here for you.
Here are a few things I bring to the table as your Houston manslaughter lawyer:
- Over 15 years of experience Keeping Innocent People Innocent
- A unique way of looking at cases as a forensic lawyer-scientist
- A born-and-bred Houstonian, so you know I’m dedicated to protecting its residents
I have an impressive track record of defending people accused of violent crimes. I achieved a not-guilty verdict for a client who was charged with capital murder in Harris County.
How a Manslaughter Investigation Works
Once a suspicious death occurs, law enforcement will begin their investigation to determine whether or not another party was responsible. This investigation may involve speaking to witnesses or interrogating persons of interest.
If you are asked to speak with the police about a suspicious death, don’t do so without a Houston manslaughter attorney from our firm there. We’ll protect you from making any statements that could jeopardize your freedom or future.
Call Today for Help from a Houston Manslaughter Attorney
If you have been charged with manslaughter, you need to speak to a Houston manslaughter defense attorney today. You can’t afford to wait another moment. Schedule a confidential case evaluation today.