Best Practices If Charged With Manslaughter in Texas
When my friend Jim was charged with manslaughter (See FindLaw) in Houston, the entire family was tensed – especially since we knew that he didn’t commit the crime. It was a real ordeal, but with the right Texas criminal lawyer, we helped him wriggle out of that nasty jam in just a year.
Manslaughter and culpable homicide laws are vigorously prosecuted in Texas courtrooms. If you or a loved are charged with such an offense, you’ll need a experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer to argue on your behalf that there was no criminally negligent homicide.
Manslaughter & Homicide in Texas
The accidental death of an individual at your hands is could be defined as manslaughter. The incident, however, can be voluntary or involuntary depending on your intent to harm the said individual. In almost all the states, manslaughter is less of a crime than a murder and the criminal gets jailed for way lesser amount of time as compared to someone who has committed murder. This is simply because in a manslaughter, the person didn’t intend to kill the victim but does so by accident.
Though most states have separate laws for involuntary and voluntary manslaughter, Texas does not. Texas, however, does have a few guidelines on how to treat these individuals and also, has a separate clause for intoxicated manslaughter cases as well. In case you’re charged with manslaughter in Texas, here’s what you need to do; contact a criminal defense lawyer in Houston.
Best Questions for Your Defense Lawyer
Despite of how grave the charges are, it is essential to ask your Houston criminal defense lawyer as many questions as needed for you to understand the complexity of the case and the collection of evidence. One needs to know the difference between a manslaughter and a murder, how you will be charged for it, and the other intricacies of the case.
Know What You’re Up Against
It is crucial to understand the ramification of the criminal charges against for you to know that if not acquitted, what punishment you may face if adjudged as guilty. Manslaughter can be charged on the basis of recklessness.
For example, one may be charged less for a crime if they were intoxicated or not in their senses. However, you may be charged even more if you had intentionally killed that person and therefore, the punishment may be as severe as ice.
Be Prepared for Sentences & Penalties
The state of Texas treats manslaughter as a second degree felony and if you’re found guilty, you usually get a sentence of two to twenty years along with a fine of $10,000. If you stand accused of a criminal offense like this in the Houston area, we recommend that you reach out to Jack B. Carroll & Associates, Criminal Defense Lawyers. In Harris County, criminals are prosecuted to highest extent of the law which justifies the need for the best criminal defense lawyer you can find.
With nearly 30 years of experience, few criminal defense lawyers in Houston can floor a solid defense to the degree of that of Jack B. Carroll & Associates. Whether you stand charged with murder, burglary, domestic violence, theft, sexual assault, or criminal negligent homicide, you can rely on Jack B. Carroll & Associates to provide an excellent defense for you on your day in court.
For more information or to contact Jack B. Carroll & Associates, call 713-228-4607 today.
