Dallas/Fort Worth Murder Lawyers

If you or a loved one is under suspicion of any category of homicide in Texas, you need to contact an experienced murder lawyer in Dallas/Fort Worth to defend your freedom today. You may know that murder charges are some of the most serious criminal charges that you can face in Texas, but you might not know how fast the police and prosecution execute investigations and arraignments.

If you think you may be suspected of committing homicide and you don’t already have a Dallas murder defense lawyer in your corner, the clock is ticking.

The top criminal defense attorneys at Westfall Sellers know how difficult it can be to have your story told. Once you are accused of something as serious as murder, you might be down for the count in the eyes of the law — that’s why we’re here. The experienced murder defense lawyers at Westfall Sellers defend compassionately and act aggressively so that your story will not go untold.

No case is too complex for our legal team to handle and we are ready to investigate whatever is necessary to obtain evidence that can be used as leverage against the prosecution or law enforcement.

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The four types of homicide in Texas

Texas murder laws, more specifically Texas Penal Code § 19, separate the definition of homicide into four different types. Homicide simply means unlawfully taking the life of another. There are a number of variables that dictate the category of homicide prosecutors may charge.

The four types of homicide are:

• Murder : Knowingly or intentionally causing the death of an individual, or intending to cause serious bodily injury and committing an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes an individual’s death.
• Capital Murder: The murder of a public servant while acting in their official duties, committing a murder in the course of committing other certain felonies (like aggravated sexual assault, burglary, kidnapping), hiring or offering to hire someone to commit murder (remuneration), murdering more than one person, or murdering someone under the age of 15.
• Manslaughter : Recklessly causing the death of an individual, or by reason of intoxication causing the death of an individual (intoxication manslaughter).
• Criminally Negligent Homicide: Causing the death of an individual by engaging in criminally negligent conduct.

Continue reading: What is manslaughter in Texas?

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Punishments under Texas murder laws

If you’re convicted of murder do you automatically get the death penalty in Texas? Punishments for a murder conviction are always steep, and will invariably involve a stint in prison — but there are things even worse than being locked up for a third of your life. The death penalty in Texas is alive and well, and convicted murderers can be on the receiving end.

Your punishment for a murder charge will be dictated by what type of charge you are facing, the punishment ranges for the four types of homicide are:

• Capital murder charges are capital felonies, punishable by up to life in prison or the death penalty in Texas.
• Murder charges are generally a first degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

If you are under suspicion for any sort of homicide, under any circumstances, it is imperative that you get a Dallas murder defense lawyer to start building your defense now.

Possible defenses to a murder charge

Any conversation about defending murder should be prefaced with information about how to prove murder. Many of the defense strategies commonly used by murder defense lawyers are intended to cast doubt upon the state’s case. In order to prove murder, the state must provide that:

1. The person intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another individual;
2. The person intended to cause serious bodily injury and committed an act that caused the death of another individual; or
3. The person caused the death of another individual during the commission of another felony.

Some of the ways to defend a murder charge include:

• Self-defense/defense of property applies whenever homicide is committed in order to defend yourself, others, or your property. The key to this defense is proving to the court that the force exerted in the commission of the murder was appropriate, which often boils down to a clear threat of imminent danger.
• Lack of intent can be the difference between second-degree murder and a much less damaging manslaughter charge.
• Mistaken identity is not uncommon in homicide cases. Casting reasonable doubt on your connection to the act through the use of alibis and evidence can be key to many murder defenses.
• Violation of process or your rights can mean that your connection with the crime is superseded by ethical or judicial violations.

The best defense will of course depend on the circumstances of your case, but even more than that, it may depend on whether or not you hired the right criminal defense attorney.

Protect your freedom with the top murder lawyers at Westfall Sellers

Hiring an accomplished and dedicated murder lawyer in Dallas/Fort Worth might be the difference between a life well lived and a life in prison. Homicide charges are some of the most serious that a person can face, and they are pursued zealously by both law enforcement and the court. If you plan on letting your side of the story be heard, you need to hire an attorney who can make that happen.

Frank Sellers, a Texas federal attorney from Westfall Sellers, has experience defending murder charges and earning clients their freedom. He will fight for your freedom and your constitutional rights and do everything in his power to make sure your voice is heard.

Looking for an aggressive and compassionate defense? Call Westfall Sellers at (817) 928-4222 or contact us online for a free consultation today.