Have you or your loved one been accused of homicide in Dallas, Texas? You need the best legal help possible on your side. Contact Texas Defense Firm at (469) 772-9509. We offer a confidential consultation with a Dallas homicide lawyer, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Our legal team understands that facing a homicide charge is one of the most overwhelming and serious experiences a person can endure. Your future, freedom, and reputation may all be at stake. We are committed to defending clients with diligence, discretion, and an unwavering focus on results.
You can contact our law firm 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Why Choose Texas Defense Firm, To Help Me if I’ve Been Accused of Homicide in Dallas?
A homicide charge in Dallas, TX, is as serious as it gets. When everything is on the line, you need more than just legal representation—you need a team that knows how to fight, when to push, and how to protect your future. That’s exactly what we offer at Texas Defense Firm.
Here’s why clients choose us when they face criminal charges:
- Depth of experience: With over 200 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys have handled countless complex criminal cases, including serious charges like murder and manslaughter.
- Focused, individual attention: We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. From day one, we take the time to understand your case, your needs, and the best path forward.
- Former prosecutors on your side: Our team includes attorneys who once worked for the state. That insight into the criminal justice system helps us prepare for the moves the other side might make, often before they make them.
- Resources that matter: Serious charges demand a serious defense. We work with trusted investigators and experts to analyze the evidence, uncover weak points in the prosecution’s case, and build a strong defense.
If you or someone you care about is facing a homicide charge, don’t wait. Call Texas Defense Firm today to speak with a Dallas criminal defense attorney who understands what’s at stake—and how to help.
What Is Homicide in Texas?
In Texas, a person commits criminal homicide if they intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence cause the death of an individual. Criminal homicide is divided further into murder, capital murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide.
These distinctions are defined by the offender’s mental state and the circumstances of the case, as follows:
- Murder: Murder involves knowingly or intentionally taking another person’s life. This offense is typically prosecuted as a first-degree felony.
- Capital murder: Capital Murder refers to particularly serious killings, such as the murder of a police officer or a child under 10, or a murder that occurs during another felony like robbery. It is classified as a capital felony.
- Manslaughter: Manslaughter covers cases where a person causes a death through reckless behavior. It is usually charged as a second-degree felony, though under certain aggravating conditions, it may be prosecuted more severely.
- Criminally negligent homicide: Criminally Negligent Homicide arises when a person’s gross lack of care leads to someone’s death. This offense is considered a state jail felony.
Each category reflects the nature of the act and the level of intent behind it, and each carries its own range of penalties under Texas law.
What Are the Penalties for Homicide in Dallas, Texas?
The consequences for a homicide conviction in Dallas—and throughout Texas—depend on the specific classification of the criminal offense. Sentences vary widely based on the defendant’s age, the degree of intent involved, and whether any aggravating factors were present.
Possible prison or jail time and fines are typically as follows:
- Capital felony: For individuals under 18 at the time of the offense, the sentence is life in prison with the possibility of parole. If the individual was 18 or older, they may face life in prison without parole, or potentially the death penalty.
- First-degree felony: Punishable by 5 years to life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
- Second-degree felony: Carries a sentence of 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $10,000.
- State jail felony: Punishable by 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility, with a fine of up to $10,000.
These penalties reflect the seriousness with which Texas handles crimes involving the loss of life. Anyone facing such charges should be aware that even the lowest-level homicide offense carries lasting consequences.
Collateral Consequences
A conviction doesn’t just result in a prison sentence—it changes your life long after you’ve served your time. These collateral consequences can affect every part of your personal and professional future.
You may face:
- Loss of civil rights, such as the right to vote or own firearms
- Barriers to employment, especially in fields requiring background checks or licensing
- Difficulty finding housing, due to landlord restrictions or background screening
- Immigration consequences, including removal or denial of citizenship (if applicable)
- Social stigma and isolation, especially in smaller communities or among professional peers
These effects are often overlooked during the legal process; your defense should aim to protect your long-term well-being.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of Homicide?
Not every homicide charge results in a conviction. Depending on the facts of your case, your attorney may be able to assert one or more legal defenses to protect your rights and challenge the state’s case.
Common defenses in homicide cases include:
- Self-defense or defense of others: If you believed deadly force was necessary to protect yourself or someone else, your actions may be justified under Texas law.
- Lack of intent: Some homicide charges require proof that you meant to kill. If the death was accidental or unintentional, this can be grounds for reducing or dismissing charges.
- Mistaken identity: In some cases, the state may have arrested the wrong person. This defense relies on alibi evidence or flaws in witness testimony or identification.
- Police misconduct or procedural errors: If your constitutional rights were violated during arrest or interrogation, your lawyer may be able to suppress critical evidence.
- Mental health considerations: If you lacked the mental capacity to understand your actions or form intent, this could be a defense based on insanity or diminished responsibility.
- Challenging the evidence: Forensic evidence is not always reliable. Your attorney can consult independent experts to evaluate or contradict the prosecution’s claims.
Choosing the right defense depends on the specific facts of your case. An experienced criminal defense attorney in Dallas can identify the strongest arguments and tailor a strategy that makes sense for your situation.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help if You’ve Been Accused of Homicide
Being accused of homicide is overwhelming. From the moment you’re under investigation, it can feel like everything is working against you. That’s why having a defense lawyer in your corner is so important.
Here’s how a skilled criminal defense attorney can make a difference:
- Protect your rights from the start: Your attorney will ensure you’re not being interrogated unfairly or pressured into saying something that could hurt your case.
- Conduct an independent investigation: This includes gathering evidence, talking to witnesses, reviewing video footage, and consulting experts to challenge the state’s claims.
- Scrutinize the prosecution’s case: Your lawyer will examine how the police conducted their investigation and look for errors, inconsistencies, or due process violations.
- Negotiate where appropriate: In some cases, an attorney can negotiate a favorable resolution before trial, such as a reduced charge or a plea deal that avoids prison.
- Fight in court if needed: If your case goes to trial, you need someone who knows how to argue effectively before a jury, challenge evidence, and present a compelling defense.
- Help you prepare emotionally and legally: Facing these charges is incredibly stressful. Your lawyer is there to guide you—not just legally, but personally—so you feel supported through the entire process.
Whether you’re being questioned by law enforcement or have already been charged, don’t wait to bring in a lawyer. The sooner you act, the more options you’ll have.
Schedule a Case Evaluation With Our Homicide Defense Lawyer
A homicide charge in Dallas, Texas, can change your life in an instant—but it doesn’t have to define your future. You have the right to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, and the opportunity to fight back with a skilled legal team behind you. At Texas Defense Firm, we take our role seriously.
We understand how much is at stake, and we bring more than 200 years of combined experience to every case we handle. When you work with us, you’re not just getting a lawyer, you’re getting an advocate who is fully invested in protecting your freedom and your future.
Call our office or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Dallas homicide defense lawyer today.
Dallas, TX Courts
- Justice Court, Precinct 3, Place 1 – 6820 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75230
- Dallas County Courthouse – 133 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
- Justice Court, Precinct 3, Place 2 – 6820 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas, TX 75230
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Visit Our Criminal Defense Law Firm in Dallas, TX
Texas Defense Firm Dallas
4100 Alpha Rd suite 476, Dallas, TX 75244
(469) 772-9509