If you’re facing manslaughter or homicide charges in Dallas, you need an aggressive, personalized defense. Texas takes violent crimes seriously. A conviction can lead to decades or life in prison. It can also permanently damage your reputation, immigration status, career, and personal relationships.

Texas law distinguishes between different types of homicide offenses, each with its own definitions and penalties under the Texas Penal Code. Whether you’re accused of criminally negligent homicide or first-degree murder, the prosecution will aggressively pursue a conviction. You need a defense team that’s just as committed to protecting your rights.

At My Dallas Criminal Lawyer, we know that every story has more than one side. Our attorneys fight to ensure your voice is heard, your rights are protected, and your case is handled carefully.

If you or a loved one is under investigation or has been arrested with one of these serious crimes, you need a Dallas manslaughter and homicide defense attorney immediately. Call 214-949-4117. Early legal intervention can make a major difference—and we’re ready to step up immediately.

Why You Need a Homicide Defense Attorney in Dallas

Homicide cases are among the most serious and complex charges under Texas law. Whether the allegation is murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide, the consequences of a conviction are life-altering. If you’re facing these charges in Dallas, you need an experienced, aggressive defense attorney to represent your case.

The Texas Penal Code outlines several different homicide offenses, each with distinct legal standards and consequences. Each of these statutes has specific elements the prosecution must prove, ranging from intent and recklessness to negligence. The classification of your charge depends heavily on the facts of the case. Your attorney may have room to argue for a reduced charge or complete dismissal.

Convictions for homicide-related offenses carry harsh punishments:

• Capital murder: Life without parole or the death penalty
• Murder: Five to 99 years or life in prison (first-degree felony)
• Manslaughter: Two to 20 years in prison (second-degree felony)
• Criminally negligent homicide: 180 days to two years in a state jail (state jail felony)

A skilled defense attorney from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer can begin protecting your rights immediately by:

• Challenging a grand jury indictment before formal charges are filed
• Working to reduce charges from murder to manslaughter or negligent homicide
• Securing expert testimony to challenge cause of death or intent
• Preserving evidence and identifying key witnesses early in the process

The sooner you involve our team, the more options you may have to fight the charges or minimize their impact. Call 214-949-4117 to start building your defense today.

Why Choose My Dallas Criminal Lawyer to Handle My Case?

When your future is on the line, you need a skilled legal team devoted to fighting for you. My Dallas Criminal Lawyer brings decades of combined trial experience to every case we handle. Our attorneys know how the district attorney’s office builds its case—and how to counter those strategies in court.

Our roots in the Dallas legal community give our clients a valuable advantage. We know how grand juries in Dallas County operate, and we’re familiar with the judges, court staff, and prosecutors handling homicide and manslaughter cases. This local knowledge helps us anticipate challenges and negotiate for better outcomes than you’d get on your own or with a busy public defender.

From the moment we take your case, we begin building an aggressive defense. We conduct our own investigation, which often includes reviewing autopsy reports, analyzing forensic evidence, and reconstructing the scene if needed. We consult with expert witnesses such as pathologists, mental health professionals, and forensic analysts to challenge the prosecution’s narrative. We also work to suppress statements or evidence obtained in violation of your Constitutional rights.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved. Most importantly, we offer strategic, honest legal advice based on your goals, whether that’s fighting for a dismissal, negotiating a plea, or taking your case to trial. My Dallas Criminal Lawyer believes everyone deserves a strong defense—reach out today to find out how we can help you.

Types of Manslaughter and Homicide Cases We Handle

Homicide charges in Texas cover a range of conduct and intent levels, from deliberate acts to tragic accidents. We defend clients against:

Murder

Murder involves intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person. It also includes the felony murder rule, which applies when someone dies during the commission of a separate felony, even if death wasn’t the original intent.

Capital Murder

Capital murder is the most serious homicide charge in Texas. It carries the possibility of life without parole or the death penalty. This charge typically applies to killings involving specific victims (peace officers, children) or circumstances (multiple victims, murder-for-hire, murder during aggravated robbery or sexual assault).

Manslaughter

Manslaughter involves recklessly causing another person’s death. It does not require intent to kill, only a disregard for risk. These charges are common in cases involving fatal car accidents, accidental shootings, or mishandled firearms.

Criminally Negligent Homicide

This charge involves failing to recognize a substantial and unjustifiable risk that leads to someone’s death. It’s frequently charged when someone’s conduct doesn’t rise to recklessness but still leads to fatal consequences. It can be considered a lesser-included offense of manslaughter, depending on the facts.

Vehicular Homicide

Texas does not have a standalone statute for vehicular homicide, but fatal crashes are often prosecuted as:

• Manslaughter (if reckless behavior like speeding or texting is involved)
• Criminally negligent homicide (if the driver failed to act with care)
• Intoxication manslaughter (if the driver was impaired under Tex. Penal Code § 49.08)

Self-Defense and Justifiable Homicide

Some homicides are legally justified. We evaluate every case to determine if the use of force was lawful under the Texas self-defense, defense of others, or defense of property statutes.

No matter the charge, My Dallas Criminal Lawyer provides a thorough, fact-driven defense grounded in Texas law.

Talk to an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Homicide and manslaughter charges are serious. You need experienced counsel who can get to work immediately and protect your rights.

My Dallas Criminal Lawyer doesn’t wait for the prosecution to set the narrative. Whether you’re accused of reckless conduct or intentional harm, our team is ready to build a defense based on the facts, the law, and your goals. Call 214-949-4117 or contact us online to speak with a Dallas homicide defense lawyer today.