Parker County Manslaughter Attorney

Violent Crimes Attorney Serving the Weatherford Area

Manslaughter is second in seriousness only to murder. Manslaughter can be thought of as a step down from intentional homicide. Generally, the difference between murder and manslaughter comes down to intent. Murder refers to a killing committed intentionally or knowingly, while manslaughter refers to a killing that was unintentional but reckless. If you are facing this very serious charge, there is a lot at stake. You could be facing decades behind bars. You need an aggressive criminal defense attorney.

Soraya Joslin, P.C. is committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of those who have been accused of manslaughter or other violent crimes. We understand the full impact this type of case can have on your life, from the judicial punishment to the societal stigma and other collateral consequences. A manslaughter charge can derail your entire life. Our goal is to reduce the negative impact your case will have in any way we can.

Understanding Manslaughter Charges in Texas

A second-degree felony, manslaughter is less serious than murder, but it is still an extremely serious accusation. In short, manslaughter is a reckless killing. If you have been charged with manslaughter, the state is accusing you of having been reckless in bringing about a person's death.

There are a wide variety of types of conduct that can lead to manslaughter charges. People have been charged with this offense for conduct that was not malicious. For example, if a person is driving drunk and accidentally hits a pedestrian, inflicting fatal injuries, the driver is likely to be charged with intoxication manslaughter. A murder charge would not be appropriate in this case, as there was no intent to cause a death.

It is also quite common for those who have been charged with murder to plead their charge down to manslaughter. This is common in cases such as barfights where one party is inadvertently killed while the other was engaging in reckless conduct that carried a risk of death.

While manslaughter is not as serious as murder, it is far more serious than even aggravated assault. If you have been charged with this offense, you must take the situation very seriously and begin working with an attorney to prepare your defense.

Defending a North Texas Manslaughter Case

Our attorneys will conduct a thorough review and investigation into the facts and circumstances of your case in order to custom-design your best possible defense. Common types of defenses used to combat manslaughter charges in Texas include:

• Self-defense - If you were acting to defend yourself or someone else when the inadvertent killing occurred, you may have a very strong defense if you were justified in using force.
• Lack of recklessness - You must have been reckless in causing the death in order to be convicted of manslaughter. In some cases, deaths are tragic but purely accidental, with no recklessness or carelessness on anyone's part. In some cases, a death may have occurred because the victim acted dangerously.

These are examples of defenses commonly used in manslaughter cases in Texas. The exact defense we use will be tailored to suit the facts and circumstances of your case.

Weatherford Lawyer Explains the Penalties for Manslaughter

The consequences of a manslaughter conviction can be severe, and Texas is already known for its harsh sentencing. Depending on the facts of your case, you could face up to 20 years in prison. For most people, this prospect is incredibly alarming.

In addition to the prison time, you could be fined up to $10,000 and ordered to perform months of community service. Most people who are sentenced for manslaughter will face some time behind bars due to the seriousness of this offense. If you have been accused of manslaughter, it is critical that you act quickly to protect your rights and freedoms.

Contact a Parker County Manslaughter Lawyer

Soraya Joslin, P.C. is skilled in defending people accused of manslaughter in Texas. Our experienced team will go over every detail of your case in order to craft the best defense possible. Contact us at 817-599-7005 for a free consultation.