McKinney Deadly Conduct Defense Attorneys
Lawyers Helping Clients Defend Against Charges of Deadly Conduct in McKinney, TX
In many cases, charges of violent crimes will be based on accusations that a person took actions that were intended to cause harm to someone else. However, there are some cases where criminal charges may be based on accusations of reckless behavior that endangered others, even when no one has actually been injured. Deadly conduct accusations can arise in a wide range of situations, and depending on the circumstances of an alleged offense, a person could face misdemeanor or felony charges.
The attorneys at Texas Defense Firm can help clients in McKinney and the surrounding areas respond to accusations that they put others at risk through recklessness. We can provide guidance on the specific charges related to deadly conduct that a person may face and the options for defending against a criminal conviction. We will fight to protect our clients' rights and minimize the penalties that may apply in a criminal case.
What May Be Considered Deadly Conduct
Charges of deadly conduct generally involve recklessness that allegedly endangered someone else. A person may be accused of acting recklessly in a way that created an imminent risk of a serious bodily injury. In general, recklessness involves an awareness that a person's conduct was dangerous and could lead to injuries, as well as a disregard toward these concerns. Deadly conduct charges generally will not apply in situations involving accidents or carelessness, and a prosecutor will need to show that a person's actions met the standards to be considered reckless.
Deadly conduct charges may also address certain uses of firearms. A person who allegedly fired a gun in the direction of another person or toward a building or vehicle without considering whether anyone was inside may be charged with deadly conduct. Charges may apply regardless of whether anyone was actually injured. Offenses will usually be based on the dangerous nature of a person's behavior and the risks of injuries due to recklessness.
A person who is accused of deadly conduct involving reckless behavior will typically be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. However, if a person is charged with deadly conduct involving discharging a firearm, an offense may be classified as a third-degree felony. Deadly conduct may also be charged alongside other offenses, such as assault or aggravated assault.
Because deadly conduct charges do not require direct contact, specific threats, or serious injuries, charges of assault or other more serious offenses may be reduced to deadly conduct in certain situations. A Class A misdemeanor will have a lower sentence range than a felony offense, and a conviction for deadly conduct may allow a person to avoid some of the penalties that would apply if they were convicted of a more serious violent crime.
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Situations That Can Lead to Deadly Conduct Charges
- A person could be charged with an offense for firing a gun during a celebration in a location where the bullet could strike a vehicle or building where people are present. Charges may apply even if a gun was fired without a specific target.
- Accusations of driving at high speeds or engaging in reckless maneuvers in locations where people may be at risk of being injured could lead to deadly conduct charges in addition to charges of reckless driving or other traffic offenses.
- A person who allegedly threw an object like a brick or bottle in the direction of a crowd or a group of people may be charged with deadly conduct based on the risk of injury to others.
- Accusations of swinging a bat, using a knife, or endangering people with another weapon or object in a crowded space could lead to deadly conduct charges, even if nobody was actually injured.
- Acting in ways that recklessly endangered other people, such as operating heavy machinery or equipment carelessly around bystanders, may be considered deadly conduct.
- Allegations of setting off fireworks or other explosive devices in crowded areas or near occupied buildings may result in deadly conduct charges due to the possibility of fires or other dangerous situations.
Defending Against Deadly Conduct Charges
When working with people who have been accused of deadly conduct, our lawyers can look at whether a prosecutor can demonstrate that they engaged in reckless behavior. We may argue that a person did not disregard known risks and was unaware of potential dangers or that a situation involved an accident.
In firearm-related cases, we can review whether a weapon was actually discharged. A person who brandished or carried a weapon but did not point it at anyone else or fire it in anyone's direction may be able to avoid a conviction for deadly conduct. We can also address other related offenses and help clients avoid convictions for crimes involving firearms.
When appropriate, our attorneys can determine whether a person had acted in self-defense or to defend another person against an injury. Conduct that may seem to be reckless may have been legally justified if the actions a person took involved reasonable measures to prevent themselves or someone else from being injured or suffering harm. We can get statements from witnesses, obtain video evidence, and gather other evidence to provide a complete picture of the incident and demonstrate that a person's actions were justified.
Contact Our McKinney, Texas Deadly Conduct Defense Attorneys
Even if no one was actually hurt, a person could be charged with deadly conduct, and a conviction can lead to penalties that may include fines and jail time. At Texas Defense Firm, we can provide the defense clients need in these situations, working to avoid a conviction whenever possible. Contact our McKinney deadly conduct lawyers at 972-369-0577 to set up a free consultation.
