Manslaughter Charges in Dallas, TX
Police, prosecutors, and courts take manslaughter charges incredibly seriously. If you are facing a manslaughter charge in Dallas, you absolutely need a dedicated Dallas manslaughter attorney in your corner. You need someone with the experience and legal knowledge it takes to get you the best result possible. First, the best manslaughter lawyers in Dallas have experience handling the highest-level criminal cases. Secondly, they have an excellent reputation inside and outside the courtroom. Third (and possibly most importantly), they investigate their cases thoroughly. Finally, they aren’t afraid to fight for their clients. If you’re looking for that type of lawyer, you’ve found Mike Howard, award-winning Dallas manslaughter attorney.
Dallas Manslaughter Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been accused of manslaughter in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas manslaughter attorney Mike Howard has the experience, trial skills, and dedication that you need when you are fighting for your life. We will do everything we can to fight for you. Moreover, Mr. Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options.
A Different Kind of Attorney
We approach our clients differently than a lot of lawyers. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of attorney you’ve come to the right place.
Our Criminal Defense Case Process
Listen & Understand
We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.
Open Communication
We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.
Fight for Justice
Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.
Defining Manslaughter in Texas
A person commits manslaughter (Texas Penal Code § 19.04) if they recklessly cause the death of an individual. The key in a manslaughter charge is the recklessness of the act.
A person commits intoxication manslaughter (Texas Penal Code § 49.08) if they cause the death of another by accident or mistake while committing DWI. Unlike manslaughter, intoxication manslaughter does not require proof of recklessness. The operation of the vehicle while intoxicated itself is considered reckless. If you unintentionally or even accidentally cause a death while DWI, that qualifies as intoxication manslaughter.
Related Charges
Manslaughter is a lesser charge of murder. The key difference is in the intent behind the action that caused the death. Prosecutors charge intentional or knowingly committed acts that cause death as murder. On the other hand, they charge reckless acts as manslaughter. Finally, they charge criminally negligent acts that cause death as criminally negligent homicide. For more information, see our intoxication manslaughter page, murder page, DWI accident, and criminally negligent homicide page. Our violent crimes lawyers in Dallas, Texas will help you understand your charges and options.
Resources and Information
See our criminal defense resource center for more information from Dallas manslaughter attorney on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more.
Penalties for Manslaughter in Dallas, Texas
Manslaughter is a second-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 20 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine. Intoxication manslaughter is also generally a second-degree felony. If the victim is a firefighter or emergency medical services personnel member, however, the charge is a first-degree felony. As a result, you could face 5 – 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Defending Manslaughter Charges in Dallas
First and foremost, the prosecutor must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails. As a result, the court must find you not guilty. This means you don’t have to prove that you didn’t do it. You don’t have to prove anything!
The only way the prosecution wins is if the jury believes their story is the only reasonable way it could’ve happened. If they have any reasonable doubts that it actually happened, they must find you not guilty. If they reasonably think it could’ve happened another way, they must find you not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented by a skilled Dallas manslaughter attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Manslaughter Attorney in Dallas
Searching for manslaughter attorneys in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Attorneys are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.
First, talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Second, do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Third, beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case. Finally, absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.
What Makes Mike Howard Different
Many lawyers take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach. A knowledgeable client is a happy client. Therefore, we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.
Visit Our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit Our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.
Dallas Manslaughter Attorney Mike Howard
Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas manslaughter attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.
Client-Centered
The cornerstone of my Dallas criminal defense law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals. I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, their options, and whether expungement may be available to clear their record. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.
Willing to Fight
Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court. I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas manslaughter attorney has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.
