Fort Worth, Texas Murder and Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Defense Attorney Fighting Homicide Charges in Tarrant County

If you have been accused of killing another person, accidentally or not, you face the possibility of decades or even life in prison. With that in mind, working with a skilled criminal defense attorney in these cases is critical. A Fort Worth, TX murder and manslaughter defense lawyer can inform you of your rights and fight for you in court.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we will take your case seriously. As a solo practitioner, Attorney Edwardo Meza will give your case his individual attention, going over your options to contest a homicide charge and developing a strategy to best protect your future.

What Is Manslaughter?

In Texas, manslaughter generally means causing another person's death by acting recklessly. Recklessness is more than a mistake. Prosecutors must claim that you were aware of a substantial risk, and that you consciously ignored it anyway. These cases often come up after fights that escalated, firearms handled carelessly, dangerous driving, or situations where someone claims the death was "not intended," but still the result of extreme poor judgment.

Manslaughter is typically charged as a second-degree felony. A conviction can carry a lengthy prison sentence of up to 20 years, steep fines, and a permanent felony record that follows you into employment, housing, professional licensing, and gun rights. It may be charged as a first-degree felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison if the death was caused by damaging critical infrastructure.

Texas also has a lesser homicide offense called criminally negligent homicide. This charge focuses on criminal negligence, meaning the prosecution claims you should have been aware of a substantial risk, even if you say you did not actually recognize it in the moment. Criminally negligent homicide is usually a state jail felony, which still carries real incarceration risk, plus lasting consequences that can reshape your life.

Facing Murder Charges in Texas?

Murder charges involve a higher level of intent than manslaughter. Texas prosecutors may pursue murder if they believe you intentionally or knowingly caused a death. Murder can also be charged if the allegation is that you intended to cause serious bodily injury and committed an act clearly dangerous to human life, or if a death occurred during the commission or attempted commission of certain felonies.

Murder is generally a first-degree felony in Texas. The sentencing range can include decades in prison, and in some circumstances, a potential life sentence. If the state alleges aggravating factors, prosecutors may seek capital murder charges, which carry the death penalty.

The law also recognizes that some murders are committed in the heat of the moment after significant provocation. While this is not necessarily a defense against murder, this can result in the charge being downgraded to a second-degree felony.

When you are under investigation or already arrested, what you say, what you do, and what evidence gets collected in the first hours and days can matter far more than most people realize.

Defenses Against Homicide Charges in Fort Worth

Depending on the facts of your case, defenses against a homicide charge may include self-defense or defense of others, especially when there is evidence of threats, a weapon, prior violence, or a fast-moving confrontation. In other cases, the defense may focus on accident, lack of intent, or the difference between recklessness and negligence. Causation can also be a major point of contention, as medical complications, delays in care, intervening acts, or flawed conclusions about the cause of death can change the entire case.

An investigation can also reveal flaws in the prosecution's case. Witnesses can be mistaken, biased, or influenced by fear. Physical evidence can be mishandled or misinterpreted. Statements taken under stress can be incomplete, or taken out of context. We can scrutinize police conduct, challenge unreliable evidence, and fight to keep unlawfully obtained evidence out of court.

Contact a Fort Worth, TX Murder and Manslaughter Defense Attorney

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, our team will listen carefully to your concerns in a homicide case and explain your rights under Texas law. Call 817-732-6392 or contact our Fort Worth, TX murder and manslaughter defense lawyer to set up a free consultation.