For a defendant charged with a homicide offense in Tarrant County, Texas, what happens early in the case can affect how the investigation and prosecution develop. In Texas, homicide can be charged as murder, capital murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide.
Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers can begin addressing those questions right away, reviewing the evidence and building a strong defense. Call us today at (682) 777 3336 to schedule a consultation with a Tarrant County homicide lawyer.
Why Choose Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help If You’re Arrested for Homicide in Tarrant County, TX?
Homicide investigations often begin well before charges are filed and may continue after an arrest. People facing these accusations need a defense team that knows how serious felony cases are investigated and prosecuted in Tarrant County, TX.
The attorneys on our team have spent their careers in criminal courtrooms, and we’ve represented clients accused of everything from misdemeanors and simple assault to murder and complex federal offenses.
Defendants choose Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers because:
- Our attorneys have 60 years of combined experience
- We have an attorney who is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- The firm has extensive experience in Texas courts, with hundreds of people defended across state and federal courts
When you meet with us, we can go over the details of your case, explain the charges, and develop a criminal defense strategy based on the facts and evidence. Contact the firm to schedule an initial case evaluation with a Tarrant County criminal defense attorney today.
Overview of Homicide Charges in Tarrant County, Texas
Under Texas law, criminal homicide occurs when a person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence causes another person’s death.
These four primary categories are as follows:
- Capital murder: An intentional killing involving statutory aggravating factors
- Murder: Intentionally or knowingly causing death, or causing death during a dangerous felony
- Manslaughter: Recklessly causing death
- Criminally negligent homicide: Causing death through criminal negligence
These classifications dictate the severity of the legal consequences, which range from state jail felonies to capital punishment. Our Tarrant County homicide attorneys can help you understand the charges against you and provide the skilled representation necessary to navigate these complex statutes.
What Are the Penalties for Homicide in Tarrant County, Texas?
The punishment for homicide depends on the specific offense and any sentencing provisions that apply.
Capital Murder
Capital murder is a capital felony. For an eligible adult defendant, a conviction can result in death or life without parole when the state seeks the death penalty. Different sentencing rules apply when the offense was committed before the defendant turned 18.
Murder
Murder is generally a first-degree felony, punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. In some cases, a defendant who proves sudden passion arising from adequate cause at the punishment stage can face punishment within the second-degree felony range.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is generally a second-degree felony, carrying two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Texas law provides an exception that can increase the offense to a first-degree felony in certain circumstances.
Criminally Negligent Homicide
Criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000.
These are the baseline punishment ranges. Prior convictions and other statutory enhancement provisions can affect the punishment a person faces, while a deadly-weapon finding can have other significant sentencing and parole consequences.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Arrested for Homicide in Tarrant County?
The defenses available in a homicide case depend on what happened and what the state can prove. Several issues may become important after the evidence is reviewed.
Self-Defense and Defense of Others
Texas law allows deadly force in certain circumstances when a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect against another person’s use or attempted use of unlawful deadly force. Deadly force may also be justified in some situations to protect another person or prevent certain violent crimes.
Challenging the Required Mental State
The charged homicide offense may depend in part on the mental state the state can prove, along with the accused person’s conduct and other statutory circumstances. Murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide involve different legal standards, so evidence about what a person knew, intended, or perceived can be important.
Manslaughter requires reckless conduct, while criminally negligent homicide is based on criminal negligence. Disputing the required mental state can affect what offense, if any, the evidence supports and the punishment that may follow.
Mistaken Identity
Not every homicide case involves a dispute over what happened. Some involve a dispute over who did it. Eyewitness identifications made under stress or from a distance may be unreliable, and a defense lawyer can examine how an identification was obtained, whether the procedure was fair, and whether physical evidence actually connects the accused person to the scene.
Problems With the Investigation
Evidence obtained through an unlawful search may be subject to suppression and applicable exceptions. Statements obtained during custodial interrogation without required warnings may also be excluded in some situations.
A Tarrant County criminal defense lawyer can review how evidence and statements were obtained and determine whether there are grounds to challenge their admissibility. Which defenses apply, and whether more than one may be raised, becomes clearer after the evidence and circumstances have been reviewed.
Schedule a Case Evaluation with Our Tarrant County Homicide Attorneys Today
A homicide charge can expose you to severe criminal penalties and long-term consequences. Getting a defense lawyer involved early can help ensure that your legal rights are protected.
If you’re facing a homicide charge in Fort Worth, Arlington, or anywhere else in Tarrant County, Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers can offer the experienced advocacy you need to challenge the prosecution’s case. Reach out to us today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Tarrant County homicide lawyer.
