Murder & Manslaughter Charges
Get Help from a Brazoria County Criminal Defense Attorney
Violent crimes are some of the most heavily-penalized offenses in Texas law, and none more so than murder or manslaughter charges. Murder and manslaughter are both types of homicide, which is the legal term for taking the life of another. While homicide can be justified, murder and manslaughter are the types of homicide which are not justified and are the result of the negligence, carelessness, or malice on behalf of the perpetrator.
It’s not uncommon for those facing murder or manslaughter charges to face immense penalties because of the nature of these offenses, and prosecutors often don’t shy away from pursuing the toughest possible punishments. That’s why you need a Brazoria County criminal defense attorney on your side when standing up to those prosecutors—to fight back and preserve your rights and best interests. At the Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, we’re an experienced team who have handled a wide variety of violent crime cases, and may be able to assist you through these serious times. We understand the stress you’re going through, and we’re committed to standing up for you and representing you with the utmost professionalism and tact. Our results speak for themselves—our trial tested strategies have been successful time and time again, and we may be able to help you as well.
Call the Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez today at (832) 900-9867 for a case evaluation and let a skilled legal representative stand up for you!
Manslaughter
“Manslaughter” is the term for causing loss of life through “criminal negligence.” Found in Texas Penal Code Chapter 19.04(a), this offense is charged when someone’s reckless conduct or negligent actions cause the death of an individual. However, one important element of manslaughter is that the person accused must have knowingly neglected their duty of care or ignored the risk of their conduct in order to be convicted. Failing to recognize the danger is known as criminally negligent homicide, which is a different offense completely.
Manslaughter is a second degree felony in Texas, which could carry the following penalties:
- Between two and 20 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Possible driver’s license suspension
- Having a felony conviction on your record
Murder
Murder is knowingly and willfully causing loss of life, and is widely believed to be the most serious type of violent crime possible. The penalties for particularly serious murder cases in Texas can include the death penalty, which means you can’t afford to take your case lightly when so much is on the line. Our attorneys may be able to help you with your defense, which is often complex, multi-layered, and requires an immense amount of strategy and careful analysis of the evidence.
Texas law defines three types of murder:
- Second degree murder: Murder that occurs in the “heat of the moment,” or when a sudden passion of rage invokes violent behavior that causes loss of life. This can carry up to 20 years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.
- Pre-meditated murder: This is murder where the act was pre-meditated, and the act was committed knowingly and intentionally. This can also include death caused by conduct that was intended to cause severe bodily injury.
- Capital murder: This is the murder of an officer of the law or firefighter, murder in the commission of another offense like robbery or kidnapping, and murder-for-hire circumstances. It’s not uncommon for prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in these instances.
Don’t leave your case up to chance; retain the experienced defense abilities of an attorney from the Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez. Contact us online today.
5-Star Defense Read Real Reviews
At Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"Experienced and Respected"I am extremely grateful that Mr. Gonzalez represented me in my case. From the very beginning, he was very communicative and made me feel at ease. His legal assistants were also very kind and helpful throughout the process. He is a highly respected attorney whose reputation and expertise are phenomenal.- Anonymous
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"Could not have been better"Was arrested twice in a very short period for invalid license. I was unaware how seriously Brazoria County takes the charge. I was looking at a class A misdemeanor for the second offense and the state had not filed the first. I thought the best possible outcome could be time served and awaiting first offense but Mr Gonzalez got the second offense dropped to a Class C misdemeanor with $100 fine and no filing of the first case I had not even considered that possible in the outcome could not have been better.- Joe
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"Best Lawyer hands down! Your in good hands if you hire them"I was facing a very scary and very serious felony charge and I was innocent! Steve Gonzalez and Kristi fought and got no bill. When they tell you you’re in good hands, you if you don’t take their word for it please take mine! They got me my life back and I could never ever thank them enough for this. The best hands down.- Kevin
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"Best Lawyer hands down"Steve and his law firm are by far the best firm around. They were always in court on time and kept me informed throughout my 3-year process with Steve and his partner Kristina. He ended up getting my case dismissed after that long period. I would like to thank both of them for there and patience with my case it was money well spent and would definitely refer him to everybody.- Former Client
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"Great Attorney"Kristi is fantastic. I recommend her to anyone that needs a DWI attorney. She is knowledgeable and informative. If you want to win the case hire Kristi.- Former Client
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"One of the Greatest"Steve O. Gonzales took the time and effort to navigate through and precisely take care of what needed to be done. He doesn't hold back and goes all out. Most definitely worth the money. He is a good man with good values. Doesn't take any B.S. from the court or the client. Honesty gets Excellent Results.- Sean
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"Phenomenal Lawyers!"I cannot stress enough how highly I recommend this law firm. Recently, I found myself in a challenging situation with a DWI and unlawfully carrying weapon case. However, with the expertise and support of Kristina King, I was able to prove my innocence and have the cases dismissed. During the entire process, Kristina was an exceptional guide. She provided me with invaluable assistance, was incredibly informative, and showcased her extensive knowledge in the field. I genuinely cannot thank her enough for all her hard work. Even though most of my interaction was with Kristina, I must say, Steve and Kristina make an excellent team. I can confidently say that Steve and his associates are highly regarded as the best lawyers. I feel truly fortunate to have had such an amazing team on my side, and I will forever be grateful to the law office of Steve O. Gonzalez. Thank you!- Former Client
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"During the entire process, Kristi was an exceptional guide"I wanted to share my amazing experience I had with Kristina King. I found myself in a challenging situation with a DWI and unlawfully carrying weapon case. However, with the expertise and support of Kristi King, I was able to prove my innocence and have the case dismissed. During the entire process, Kristi was an exceptional guide. She provided me with invaluable assistance, was incredibly informative, and showcased her extensive knowledge in the field. I genuinely cannot thank her enough for all her hard work. I feel truly fortunate to have had such an amazing lawyer on my side, and I will forever be grateful. She goes above and beyond to help you out.- Former Client
Put Experience On Your Side Why Choose Us?
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More than 5,000 Clients Helped Since Start of the Firm
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Serving Spanish-Speaking Clients
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Certified in Breath Tests, Blood Tests and SFSTs
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Former Brazoria County Assistant District Attorney
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Aggressive & Passionate Legal Representation
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Over 32 Years Representing The Accused