You can make the argument that not all slayings are equal in the eyes of the law, but they are all serious. Homicide includes every kind of killing at the hands of another person, but criminal homicide is, by definition, always criminal. Even so, there are levels of criminal homicide based on culpability and other circumstances that can make the crime a state jail felony or a death penalty offense. That is quite a wide range of potential penalties, making understanding of criminal homicide charges critical for anyone facing such charges.
Criminal Homicide Charges Range From Bad to Worse
Criminal homicide is the umbrella for any death of one person at the hands of another person for any reason other than pure accident. Any criminal homicide charge is a felony if you are convicted. Even so, the range of severity of criminal homicide charges covers a pretty broad spectrum, and some felonies are much worse than others. Texas law defines criminal homicide as anytime someone “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence” does something that results in the death of another person. Basically, this covers everything except the purely accidental death of another person. There are defenses, of course, such as self-defense, but in many if not most instances, if your actions fit the description of the statute and someone dies as a result, you will face some level of criminal homicide charges. So, what are those levels?
At the lowest level is criminally negligent homicide, which simply means that you caused someone’s death through criminal negligence. Criminal negligence is failing to perform a duty that you owe to others. Such as stopping to render aid and call for help if you are involved in a traffic accident or, if your job requires certain duties to maintain safe conditions and you intentionally fail to perform those duties and someone dies as a result. This is a state jail felony.
Next up the scale is manslaughter, which means you recklessly cause the death of another person. Drunk driving or speeding, among many other actions, are examples of recklessness. This is a second-degree felony.
Murder also falls under criminal homicide. It involves intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another as well as other circumstances such as causing a death during the commission of a felony. This is a first-degree felony.
At the top of the ladder is capital murder, a first-degree felony punishable by death. There are a number of different circumstances that can result in a capital murder charge, including a killing for hire, killing a peace officer or firefighter who is in the course of performing their duty, and many others.
If You are Facing Criminal Homicide Charges in Houston, Talk to Madrid Law Firm
Criminal homicide charges are all serious matters. You need to take steps to protect your future by ensuring that you are facing the lowest charges supportable, and then to ensure that you receive the best defense possible even against those charges. You need a criminal defense lawyer with the experience to help you put together a defense and achieve the best outcome possible. If you are facing criminal homicide charges, talk to the Madrid Law Firm.
