Dallas Murder And Manslaughter Lawyer

Dallas Murder And Manslaughter Attorney

Often considered the most heinous of all crimes, murder, or intentionally taking the life of another person, carries severe consequences under Texas law, including incarceration for life and even the death penalty. As a result, you cannot risk your freedom by failing to enlist the services of an experienced Dallas murder and manslaughter lawyer.

Former Dallas County and Tarrant County prosecutors Keith and Kevin Harris, who now focus on representing their neighbors throughout Dallas, are familiar with all phases of a murder case, from the police investigation to the jury verdict. Do not risk your freedom or, ultimately, your life. If you find yourself at the center of a homicide investigation, Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, can provide you with the aggressive defense that you need.

Murder Under Texas Law

Texas law defines murder as intentionally or knowingly causing the death of an individual. Murder can also be committed if someone intends to cause serious bodily injury and commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual.

Murder is a first-degree felony in Dallas, Texas. The punishment range for murder is not less than 5 years confinement and not more than 99 years, or life confinement in prison. A person convicted of murder in Texas is not eligible for probation.

Facing Murder Charges?

Common Defense Strategies Against Murder Charges in Dallas

To successfully defend yourself against murder charges, you need to work with your defense  lawyer to construct the most thoughtful and strategic approach possible. Fortunately, hiring an  experienced defense lawyer gives you access to an entire spectrum of defense options to  consider. After investigating the details of your case, your lawyer can share which defense they  believe is the strongest to take.

Some of the most common include: 

Challenging the Intent

One of the most important aspects of a prosecution’s argument in a murder case is proving intent.  They are required to prove that the accused acted with a deliberate intention to kill before they  can secure a conviction. However, a strong defense against this could make it difficult for them  to prove intent.

For example, the accused may have acted in the heat of the moment. The accused could have  also acted under extreme emotional distress. This could reduce their culpability. As long as there  is evidence to make these points, they can use strong counterarguments to reduce the charges a  defendant faces.

Self-Defense

Another common defense in murder cases is self-defense. Texas law allows individuals to  engage in self-defense to protect themselves from scenarios where they are in immediate danger.  This is sometimes allowed, even if they kill the other person. The only way this defense would  hold up is: 

1. It’s clear the individual had a reasonable belief that their life was in danger.
2. Their actions were proportional to the threat they faced.

Lack of Sufficient Evidence

The prosecution is burdened with proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in murder cases.  Because of this, a Dallas Murder And Manslaughter Lawyer can focus on finding vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s  evidence. For example, they may introduce another witness that contradicts what the  prosecution’s witness claimed. They could also provide new forensic evidence that suggests an  alternative explanation to who was responsible for the death in question.

Mental Health

If the accused believes they were suffering from a mental health condition during the alleged  incident, this could have a significant role in the outcome of the case. This would suggest that the  defendant was unable to understand the consequences of their actions during the murder. While  this alone is not enough to have the charges dropped, it could lead to alternative sentencing  options.

Understanding the Degrees of Homicide Charges in Texas

Homicide charges in Texas can apply to a number of different offenses. Each of these is defined  by the accused’s intent, actions, and other circumstances surrounding the death in question. It’s  important to understand the legal distinction between these, as it influences how severe the  possible punishment could be.

Murder is considered the most serious type of homicide. This is where someone has been found  guilty of intentionally causing someone else’s death. It is typically categorized into two different  types.

Murder is a first degree felony. To prove murder, the prosecutor has to prove the person intended  to cause the death or that their actions were clearly dangerous to human life, and caused the  death of someone.

What Is Manslaughter?

The lesser homicide charge is manslaughter. This is where someone’s actions cause someone to  die indirectly. For example, someone was driving under the influence and caused a fatal accident.  Because manslaughter charges do not involve intent, it is considered to be a less severe charge  than murder. However, it still has significant penalties for those found guilty. Manslaughter is a second degree felony, and happens when someone’s reckless conduct causes  the death of a person.

FAQs About Dallas, TX Murder And Manslaughter Laws

Q: What Is the Difference Between Murder, Homicide, and Manslaughter?

A: Murder, homicide, and manslaughter all mean different things under Texas law. Homicide is a  broadly used term that encompasses any act that causes someone else to die. Murder is a specific  type of homicide that involves someone intentionally killing someone else. Manslaughter is  when someone’s reckless actions are responsible for someone dying, rather than their own  intended actions. Each of these carries its own set of legal consequences and penalties.

Q: How Many Years Is a Murder Charge in Texas?

A: Anyone who is convicted of murder in Texas will not be sentenced to less than 5 years in  prison. The most someone can be sentenced for is life. Factors such as whether the murder was  premeditated, involved a deadly weapon, or had other aggravating circumstances will all affect  how long the prison sentence for murder will be. An experienced defense lawyer can find  strategies to minimize the length of this sentence.

Q: What Crimes Get the Death Penalty in Texas?

A: The only crime that gets the death penalty in Texas is a capital murder case. This is when  someone kills a police officer or firefighter who is acting in the lawful discharge of an official  duty and who the person knows is a peace officer or fireman. Capital Murder is also if someone  commits murder in the course of committing kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual  assault, or arson.

Q: Can You Get Probation for Manslaughter in Texas?

A: While it is possible for probation to be issued in manslaughter cases in Dallas, TX, it will largely depend on  the specific circumstances of the case and whether the defendant has been charged with any  crimes before. To make this decision, the court will consider factors like how reckless the  defendant acted, what impact their actions had on the victim’s family, and what steps they took  personally to begin taking accountability for what happened.

Contact Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, Today

If you have been accused of murder or manslaughter in Dallas, you need a reputable defense firm  on your team to fight these charges. Contact us today to learn more about our history and what  we can do for you.