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. Reckless driving while intoxicated that causes death may also be charged as intoxication manslaughter, a separate but related offense.
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.
- Premeditated murder: This is murder where the act was premeditated, 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.
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
Hear What Our Satisfied Clients Have To Say
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"Exceptional defense attorney!"You will not find a better defense team to represent you! Steve and KK are exceptional and extremely passionate about what they do.- Billy
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"Fantastic & Professional!"
Hands down, these folks are the best in the business! Thanks to Steve, KK, and the rest of the crew at the firm, I can now rest at ease after getting the case dismissed.
- Chad -
"Great Team!"Great team! Got my case dismissed, and it was a pleasure to work with. I felt like they cared.- Matt
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"Extremely equipped and prepared to fight for me"I cannot recommend Kristi at Attorney Steve O. Gonzalez enough. She was incredibly smart, well-equipped, and thoroughly prepared throughout every stage of my case. From the beginning, she guided me through every step and every challenge with professionalism, strategy, and compassion. Her attention to detail, knowledge of the law, and ability to remain calm and focused under pressure gave me confidence during an extremely difficult time. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, my case was successfully dismissed. I am beyond grateful for her advocacy and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an attorney who is not only highly competent, but truly committed to her clients.- Vikki C.
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"I am forever grateful to them for how they handled my case."I am 67years old and never been in trouble with the law. I was going through some medical issues with my husband along with some living issues. I did something I knew better than doing. With so much on my mind, I didn't think of the consequences. Steve Gonzalez was recommended to me by a friend. I have never met someone that took the time to take care of me and my case and was able to plead my defense with a positive outcome. I am so relieved he was recommended to me, and I chose to accept him as my attorney. I highly recommend him and his wife KK. I am forever grateful to them for how they handled my case.- Lynn A.
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"Top Level Experience"One of the most professional women in law I have been around. Start to finish, the experience was top-level, and she is extremely experienced and knowledgeable in her field. I couldn’t ask for better representation.- Joseph
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"During the entire process, Kristi was an exceptional guide"I feel truly fortunate to have had such an amazing lawyer on my side, and I will forever be grateful.- Former Client
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"No nonsense, honest attorney!"Steve Gonzales and his team are the type of firm that you would want to have on your side. I would highly recommend Steve to anyone who expects the best and wants a winning outcome!- Davis
