Understanding Texas Manslaughter Laws
Manslaughter in Texas is part of a series of crimes known as criminal homicide. Some of them are capital murder or negligent homicide.
When a person kills another deliberately, recklessly, or through negligence, that person is committing a criminal homicide. All Texans should understand the manslaughter laws in Texas, but especially those who are facing this charge in criminal court. Reach out to a criminal defense lawyer now for additional information.
Texas Manslaughter
The Texas manslaughter charge does not require any demonstration of intent, knowledge, or foresight; it only requires the defendant to act recklessly.
One other thing to note about manslaughter in Texas is that the state has not distinguished the difference between voluntary and involuntary death as in other states. Texas has made other types of manslaughter clear, though—for example, deaths as a result of cars and intoxication. Each has its own penalties.
Penalties for Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a second-degree felony under Texas law. This also applies to offenses of vehicular and intoxication manslaughter. If they are under the Texas penal code or the Texas transportation code for manslaughter, the penalty will also apply. According to section 12.33 of the Texas penal code, the penalties for manslaughter include:
- Fine: Up to $10,000
- Sentence: Between 2 and 20 years
Defenses to Manslaughter
There are defenses for causing involuntary death. It is, however, important to know that even if one of the defenses is correct, you can still be convicted of a misdemeanor. Some homicide and murder defense options in Texas include:
- Self-defense
- Insanity
- Actual innocence
- Mistaken identity
- Others
Reach Out to a Texas Manslaughter Defense Attorney
When you are charged with a violent crime, you have a lot to do. The severity of the murder charges requires careful planning of a defense strategy. Talk to an experienced Texas defense attorney at Chris Lewis & Associates P.C. to find out what a defense lawyer can do for you and how we can take steps to see that an unfortunate situation where someone was killed doesn’t ruin your life.
Contact us by calling 214-665-6930 or filling out the form below.
