Hempstead Manslaughter Lawyer

Hempstead Manslaughter Attorney

Manslaughter is considered a serious offense with good reason. It involves the unintentional killing of another human being, which can impact countless lives. If you’ve been accused of manslaughter, you need a Hempstead manslaughter lawyer who will take the charges seriously and treat your case like it’s the only one on their docket.

You can trust the team here at the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, to provide a robust defense against your manslaughter charges. We were recently able to help a client facing up to 12 years in prison get his intoxication manslaughter charges dropped down to a misdemeanor DWI, a much less serious charge. We can help you fight the criminal defense charges being levied against you, too.

Elements of a Manslaughter Charge

There are three elements that prosecutors need to prove when trying someone for manslaughter. They are:

• The defendant’s act led to the death of another person.
• The act was inherently dangerous or reckless.
• The defendant should have been aware that their actions could lead to the death of another person.

Your lawyer will evaluate the quality of the evidence and the witnesses the prosecution plans to use against you to build their case and look for ways to disprove any of these elements.

Common Defenses Against Manslaughter Charges

The defense strategy your lawyer employs will depend on the specifics of your case. While Texas doesn’t technically differentiate between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, the distinction is relevant when it comes to defense strategies. Defenses against voluntary manslaughter charges include:

• Presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty. If you can successfully claim that you did not commit the crime, it’s arguably one of the most effective defenses against voluntary manslaughter.
• Self-defense. If you killed another person while defending yourself against an actual or perceived threat of violence, you may be able to get your charges dropped.
• Insanity. It’s rare for insanity defenses to be successful, but not unheard of. If you met the legal definition of insanity at the time of the crime, you can’t be found guilty of committing it.
• Accidental killing. If you can show that the homicide occurred not because of your actions but as a pure accident, you may not face criminal liability. Even if you are still determined to be responsible for the accident, the manslaughter penalties are often less severe for involuntary manslaughter.

If you’re facing manslaughter charges for an accident caused by recklessness, not an intentional action, your defense strategy may be a little different. Your lawyer may still employ some of the same defense tactics, but they will be focused exclusively on showing that there is reasonable doubt as to whether you caused the person’s death, to begin with, and won’t focus at all on intent.

Before you arrive at the Waller County Courthouse for your trial, your lawyer will also go over all of the evidence that the prosecution has against you to determine whether it is sufficient to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They may also look for ways to show that you were unlawfully arrested, as well.

Hire a Manslaughter Lawyer

In Waller County, the average annual death rate is 895 deaths per 100,000 residents. Accidents, including car crashes, account for 33% of the deaths under 45 in Texas, many of which can be considered vehicular manslaughter cases. More than 37% of car accidents are caused by DWIs, which are often considered intoxication manslaughter cases.

It doesn’t matter what form of manslaughter you’ve been accused of committing. You need to hire a manslaughter lawyer in Hempstead who can explain the charges against you, come up with an effective defense strategy, and provide representation throughout your case. Having a lawyer increases your chances of getting the case thrown out and, if that’s not possible, improves the likelihood that you’ll be able to get the charges reduced.

FAQs About Hempstead, TX Manslaughter Laws

Is It Manslaughter if a Drunk Driver Kills Someone?

It is manslaughter if a drunk driver kills someone. Texas has a separate category of manslaughter charges reserved for DWIs known as intoxication manslaughter. The intoxication manslaughter penalties are steeper than those associated with criminally negligent manslaughter, more generally. If you’ve been charged with intoxication manslaughter, you should take those charges very seriously.

Which Is Worse, Manslaughter or Vehicular Manslaughter?

Neither manslaughter nor vehicular manslaughter is inherently worse. Manslaughter is a broad term that describes the homicide of a person without the premeditated intent to kill. Vehicular manslaughter is a type of manslaughter that occurs exclusively during auto accidents. The severity of the charges depends on the specific circumstances of the crime and whether there was an intent to kill in the heat of the moment.

What’s Worse Than Manslaughter?

Murder is worse than manslaughter. The difference between manslaughter and murder charges is that while both refer to homicide, murder is defined by a premeditated intention to kill. Most manslaughter cases are involuntary, meaning that there was no intention to kill at any point. Even voluntary manslaughter cases are considered less extreme than murders because they involve the intent to kill only in the heat of the moment.

Can Manslaughter Charges Be Dropped?

Manslaughter charges can be dropped if a judge determines that the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial. You can increase your chances of getting your charges dropped by working with a Hempstead manslaughter attorney who understands manslaughter laws and how to leverage them to achieve a positive outcome in your case.

Hempstead Manslaughter Lawyer

If you’re looking for a Hempstead manslaughter lawyer, look no further than the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC. Our team has been practicing criminal defense law for years and has successfully defended clients facing manslaughter charges. In one recent case, we were even able to get intoxication manslaughter charges reduced to a misdemeanor DWI. Find out how we can help you fight your charges. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.