There are criminal charges, and then there are criminal charges. For some charges, you might wonder whether you really need to get a lawyer. Those tend to be misdemeanor charges. Even then, you usually would be dealing with lower level misdemeanor charges. Once you get into felony territory, you should not even question whether you need outside help. You need to get a lawyer, and the sooner the better. No matter how you wound up there, you are going to need professional legal assistance if you want to get your life back on track.
Manslaughter is Not Murder, but it is Still a Major Charge
Having a person die at your hands, intentionally or otherwise, is an intense emotional experience. It is something no one wants to go through. Legally, if you are responsible for someone’s death, not only is there an emotional burden, there also are the legal consequences. Even if you did not intend to kill anyone, you still can be held legally responsible. In such instances, it is common to face manslaughter charges. To be charged with manslaughter does not mean that you intended to kill someone – the charge for that would be somewhere on the scale of murder charges – but it does mean that you were responsible for someone’s death.
Being responsible for someone’s death is not the same as intending to cause someone’s death. In Texas, the law requires only that you acted “recklessly.” While the definition of “reckless” is not set in stone in Texas, you must have been aware that your behavior could cause someone’s death, but you behaved in that fashion anyway, choosing to ignore the risk.
A conviction for manslaughter requires that the prosecutor prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you acted recklessly and that your actions caused the death of another person. That breaks down into three elements:
- Reckless actions, meaning actions you knew could result in someone’s death
- Causing the events in question
- Resulting in the death of another person
If the prosecution cannot prove any of those elements, you should be found not guilty. But if the prosecution can prove that your reckless actions caused someone’s death, you can be found guilty of a second-degree felony.
Conviction of Manslaughter is Serious
A second-degree felony carries the potential for stiff punishment. While the sentence is at the discretion of the court to a certain extent, if you are convicted of manslaughter you will face a sentence that includes:
- At least two years in prison, with a possible sentence of not more than 20 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
The length of your sentence and amount of your fine if convicted will depend upon the circumstances of your case. However, both possibilities – prison time and a steep fine – argue in favor of getting a lawyer to help you avoid either consequence if possible.
If You are Facing Manslaughter Charges in Houston, Talk to Madrid Law Firm
Manslaughter charges are no small matter. If you find yourself charged with manslaughter, your situation is serious but not hopeless. Defenses exist, and the facts of your case could clear you of criminal responsibility. Talk to the Madrid Law Firm today for help.
