Homicide Defense Lawyer in Houston

Providing High Quality and Aggressive Legal Representation for Clients Accused of Homicide Related Crimes

If you or a family member has been charged with killing another person, it is a certainty that your world has been turned upside down. Any type of homicide charge can have devastating consequences for not only the accused but for their loved ones and others in their lives.

An individual convicted of a murder charge could potentially spend the rest of their life in prison or, depending on the circumstances involved in the crime, be sentenced to death. Texas leads the nation in the number of death row executions it carries out each year.

Nevertheless, Drehner Law of Houston, TX, realizes that sometimes good people make mistakes that could change their lives forever. As a result, our legal team is dedicated to ensuring we provide high-quality and aggressive legal representation for our clients accused of homicide charges.

Contact our law office and ask to schedule a free initial consultation with our homicide lawyer so that we may thoroughly review your case and determine what legal strategies may be available.

What Are Different Types of Homicide Charges?

The Texas Penal Code defines criminal homicide as when an individual knowingly, intentionally, recklessly, or with criminal negligence causes the death of another person.

Texas recognizes four different types of criminal homicide charges, which include:

Murder

An individual may be charged with murder if any of the following legal elements are present:

• Intentionally causing the death of another.
• Intentionally causing serious bodily injury, which caused the death of another.
• Causing the death of another while in the commission of another felony offense.
• Acting as an accomplice to a felony in which a murder was committed.

Unless it can be demonstrated that a defendant committed the murder due to provocation from the victim, the charges will be prosecuted as a first-degree felony. A first-degree felony is punishable by 5 to 99 years in prison or a life sentence.

Manslaughter and Criminally Negligent Homicide

If the state can prove that the defendant was guilty of reckless behavior that caused the death of another, they can be found guilty of manslaughter charges. For example, an individual may be charged with vehicular manslaughter if they take the life of someone else as a result of their reckless actions.

Other Texas manslaughter charges include:

• Voluntary and involuntary manslaughter
• Intoxication manslaughter

A defendant may be found guilty of criminally negligent homicide if it can be proven that they should have known the dangers and risks associated with their actions or inactions that caused the death of another.

If you still need help understanding Texas homicide charges, contact Drehner Law and ask to schedule a meeting with a qualified legal team member who will gladly answer your questions.

Are There Any Legal Defenses to Murder Charges?

Although homicide charges are the most serious offenses listed in the Texas Penal Code, several murder defenses may be used by a criminal lawyer to help their clients fight the charges. These legal defenses include:

• Self-defense
• Defense of another person
• Accidental death of the victim
• The defendant has a solid alibi.
• Mistaken identity
• Fulfilling a duty (if the defendant is a law enforcement officer)

Regardless of the homicide charges you may be facing, you must have a highly experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your rights and freedom.

The Drehner Law legal team has a proven record of successfully handling homicide cases and obtaining favorable client results. Contact our law office to learn more about our innovative legal strategies and how we can put them to work for you.

What is Capital Murder?

Capital murder is the most serious of all homicide charges in Texas. An individual may be charged with capital murder for several reasons, including:

• Killing a victim who is under the age of 10
• Killing a victim between the ages of 10 and 14 years old
• Murdering more than one person.
• Premeditated murder
• Killing a judge in retaliation for their service.
• Murder for hire
• Causing the death of anyone acting in a law enforcement capacity.

Furthermore, an individual may also be charged with capital murder if they caused the death of another person in the commission of crimes such as robbery, kidnapping, burglary, sexual assault, arson, or terrorist activity. If convicted of capital murder, the defendant could face the death penalty.

However, not all individuals who are convicted of capital murder receive the death penalty. The death penalty is only applicable to individuals who are at least 17 years old at the time they commit the capital murder. Other possible sentences for capital murder include:

• Mandatory life in prison if the guilty party is younger than 18 years of age.
• Mandatory life in prison without parole if the guilty party was at least 18 or older when the crime was committed.

Because of the severe consequences that can result from a capital murder conviction, anyone facing these charges must have a qualified attorney to act as their legal counsel.

Why Should I Trust Drehner Law to Defend Me Against a Homicide Charge?

If you or a loved one is facing homicide-related charges, you must hire an experienced lawyer who can provide you with a solid murder defense. Texas has stringent penalties for murder and other related charges.

For example, those convicted of murder stand the chance of being sentenced to between 5 and 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Manslaughter is classed as a second-degree felony and punishable by two to 20 years in prison and also accompanied by a $10,000 fine.

Drehner Law is dedicated to representing individuals who have been charged with murder or similar crimes. Our legal team makes no judgments and strives to treat each client with the respect and integrity they deserve.

Our well-trained criminal defense lawyer has the skill and experience it takes to win favorable client results through negotiations with the prosecution or arguing your case before a jury.

Contact our Houston law office at 832-626-0063 and ask to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.