Denton Manslaughter Attorney

Denton County Manslaughter Lawyer Serving Denton

In Texas, manslaughter is one of the offenses that falls under criminal homicide. According to Texas Penal Code § 19.01, criminal homicide is an offense committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly that results in the death of another. Manslaughter involves engaging in reckless conduct that causes someone else's death. It is a felony offense, punishable by years in prison and/or a steep fine. If you were charged with this crime, retaining the services of a criminal defense lawyer is imperative. Having sound counsel on your side can increase the chances of minimizing or avoiding severe punishments.

Backed by over 20 years of combined experience, our Denton manslaughter defense attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to build a solid legal strategy on your behalf. At Magaña & Van Dyke, our team is dedicated to providing personalized service, and we know there are two sides to every story. Without judgment, we'll listen to your account of the events leading up to your arrest and help you understand your legal options. When we take on a case, we do so with compassion and understanding, and we care about what happens to the people we represent. Employing an aggressive approach, coupled with sincere advocacy, we will work hard to seek an optimal resolution to your case.

When you hire our firm, we'll be personally available to you when you need us. For a free consultation, call our team at 940-382-1976 or contact us online today.

Manslaughter Defense

Texas Penal Code § 19.04 defines manslaughter as recklessly taking someone else's life. To do something recklessly means to be aware of the substantial and unjustifiable risks that may result, such as death, but engaging in the conduct regardless of this knowledge. For example, shooting a gun into a crowd, but not aiming at anyone in particular, is considered reckless because discharging a firearm can seriously injure or kill another person.

Texas law further provides that a person may be considered to have acted recklessly if their conduct was a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would have assumed under the same or similar circumstances.

Depending on the situation, several defenses can be raised to challenge accusations of manslaughter. At Magaña & Van Dyke, our Denton lawyers will thoroughly review your case and provide an honest and realistic assessment.

The Difference Between Murder and Manslaughter

As mentioned earlier, manslaughter is considered a criminal homicide offense, as is murder, but the two are not the same crime. Manslaughter occurs when a person recklessly kills another person without premeditation or intent to cause such a result. In contrast, murder occurs when someone intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another.

Both murder and manslaughter are serious offenses, but murder is considered the more severe of the two.

The Penalties for Manslaughter

In Texas, manslaughter is a second-degree felony.

A conviction can result in:

• Between 2 and 20 years in prison, and/or
• A fine of up to $10,000

Contact a Denton County Manslaughter Defense Attorney

If you're facing charges of manslaughter in Denton, reach out to Magaña & Van Dyke today. We treat every person we help as an individual, and we have the resources to dedicate a high level of focus to your case.

We handle even the most complex matters in Denton County, and we are here to guide you through your case. Call us at 940-382-1976 or submit an online contact form to arrange a free consultation.