Experienced Manslaughter Defense Attorneys
The laws on homicide, murder, and manslaughter in are complicated and confusing. Making matters worse, the federal system uses its own set of rules and definitions, which often differ from those that we have here.
Any homicide charge is an extremely serious allegation. No matter what the circumstances may be, if you are currently facing a criminal charge or investigation for alleged manslaughter , you need to get a capable and aggressive legal team on your side right now.
The Criminal Defense Firm is a longstanding criminal defense law firm, with years of experience in defending against manslaughter and murder charges. We work with cases, as well as those being handled at the federal level.
You are up against difficult and terrifying charges, and the government has key advantages against you. But you aren’t hopeless, and you don’t have to handle this alone.
Our experienced manslaughter defense attorneys are well versed in a wide range of powerful and effective defense tactics and strategies that help to protect our clients against the prosecution’s advances.
We understand that manslaughter allegations are often false, trumped-up, or otherwise unfair. The police and the government make enormous legal blunders in these cases with alarming frequency. It is our job to identify those errors and then hold the government fully accountable to the highest standards of the law, including your all-important rights under the state and federal Constitutions.
Our firm works with former federal prosecutors, FBI special agents, and more. We go to great lengths to protect our clients, devoting every ounce of our energy to their defense.
We believe that we can make a difference in your case. Please contact our experienced manslaughter defense attorneys right away.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Timothy E. Allen
Former Senior Special Agent
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
The Difference Between Murder and Manslaughter
Murder and manslaughter are considered two different types of criminal homicide.
In either case, someone dies as the result of someone else’s actions. That is, essentially, the state’s definition of homicide. But the type of homicide that the prosecution charges you with is extremely important in determining the potential penalties, as well as the specific allegations that the prosecution will have to prove in order to convict you.
As you probably know, manslaughter is a lighter charge than murder. Both, however, are extremely serious and carry dire consequences.
The key difference between them is the question of intent. Murder charges are reserved for defendants who allegedly intended to kill the victim (or at least intended to cause severe bodily harm or commit a felony that then leads to the victim’s death).
Manslaughter, meanwhile, is focused less on intent and more on recklessness. In other words, if the prosecution can show that your actions were reckless and that those actions led to the victim’s death, you can be convicted of manslaughter even if you never intended for anyone to die.
State Does Not Distinguish Between Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter
We often hear about “voluntary manslaughter” vs. “involuntary manslaughter” in the news. Many jurisdictions in our country use those distinctions, but the state does not.
You should be aware, however, that certain aggravating factors might increase the potential penalties in your case. Your manslaughter defense lawyer can help determine whether any of those factors might apply under the specific circumstances of your case.
Intoxication Manslaughter
Many states prosecute death that results from drunk driving as a form of manslaughter. Texas is unique, however, in that it has created a separate statute to specifically address drunk driving deaths. Essentially, this law creates a separate form of manslaughter known as intoxication manslaughter.
Like other manslaughter charges, intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony, carrying up to 20 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. But defendants who are convicted of intoxication manslaughter may also face minimum sentences (meaning you will have to spend a specified period of time in prison before becoming eligible for parole), as well as mandatory community service (totaling between 240 and 800 hours).
Intoxication manslaughter charges are common, and our office is actively involved in defending Texans against them. As with all other drunk driving charges, the government often relies on faulty testing procedures, unfounded assumptions, or illegal evidence in intoxication manslaughter cases. We understand that, and we’re ready to fight against it.
Contact Our Experienced Manslaughter Defense Attorneys
If you have been charged with murder, manslaughter, or intoxication manslaughter (or in the federal system), you need to take immediate steps to protect yourself. The government is extremely aggressive in pursuing these cases. The sooner you get an effective law firm in your corner, the better.
Every second count. Even if you are only under investigation and haven’t yet been charged with a crime, our manslaughter defense attorney can help. Free consultations are available for both state- and federal-level prosecutions. Please contact The Criminal Defense Firm today at 866-603-4540.
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