Manslaughter Defense

With the high stakes involved with any criminal charge, you need an experienced criminal trial attorney by your side. Attorney Shannon Drehner brings her years of experience as a chief felony prosecutor to defend you when you need it most. Don’t wait; contact us today.

Houston Manslaughter Attorney

Providing Skilled Counsel Throughout Your Case

In Texas, manslaughter is a homicide offense that occurs when someone recklessly causes the death of another. Although not done intentionally, manslaughter still carries harsh penalties. If you’ve been accused, you may be feeling frightened and overwhelmed. The criminal justice process may be unfamiliar to you, and the potential outcome is unknown. Hiring a knowledgeable attorney to help with your case can help alleviate some of the stresses involved, as you’ll have an advocate on your side, effectively guiding you from beginning to conclusion.

For the legal representation you need, reach out to Drehner Law. Before practicing criminal defense, our Houston manslaughter lawyer served as a chief felony prosecutor. Thus, we have in-depth knowledge of the legal system from both sides of the court. Not only can we help you understand the process of resolving your case from a defense perspective, but we can also explain the tactics the prosecutor might use to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. When you have a question or concern about your case, when you want to know the possible results, and when you need to know how you can aggressively fight your charge, we will be here, ready to provide the well-informed answers you need.

We care about what happens to you, and we will do everything in our legal power to seek a favorable outcome on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 832-626-0063 or submit an online contact form today.

What Is Considered Manslaughter in Texas?

Texas Penal Code 19.04 defines manslaughter as recklessly causing another person’s death. This means that the actor knew that their behavior posed a “substantial and unjustifiable risk” to someone else’s safety but engaged in the conduct regardless. For someone’s actions to be considered reckless, they must have severely deviated from how a reasonable person would have behaved in a similar situation.

How Many Years Can You Get for Manslaughter?

Manslaughter is a serious crime. Even though the defendant might not have intended to kill another person, they may be charged with a second-degree felony.

This level of offense carries the following punishments:

Between 2 and 20 years in prison and/or
A fine of up to $10,000

At Drehner Law, we recognize that the potential conviction penalties for manslaughter are harsh. That is why we leave no stone unturned when developing defenses for such charges. When you turn to us, you can be confident that you will have an attorney fighting hard for you and working toward avoiding or minimizing the life-altering consequences you could face.

What’s the Difference Between Manslaughter and Murder?

Both manslaughter and murder involve the death of another, but they are different crimes. As noted above, manslaughter is an act that is done recklessly. On the other hand, murder is committed knowingly or intentionally. Thus, murder is considered a more serious offense because the actor consciously tried to take someone else’s life.

How Can I Fight a Manslaughter Charge?

For the prosecutor to obtain a conviction in a manslaughter case, they must prove that the defendant recklessly caused another’s death. However, just because they have evidence does not mean it will remove all doubt from the judge’s or jury’s thoughts. The evidence they present may not be strong, and it is in the weaknesses that the accused can defend their innocence.

To reveal holes in the prosecutor’s case and effectively fight your charge, you need the help of a Houston attorney who knows how to develop cogent and compelling arguments. At Drehner Law, we will fully investigate your case and deftly attack the accusations made against you.

Learn more about how we can help protect your rights and freedom by calling us at 832-626-0063 or contacting us online.