Homicide Charges and Possible Defenses in Texas

 Posted on May 14, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If you are facing a homicide charge, the most important thing you can do is speak to an experienced legal representative as soon as possible. This is among the most serious of criminal offenses and can have a drastic and devastating impact on the rest of your and your family’s lives. A San Antonio, TX homicide attorney will help you understand the charges against you and the possible defense strategies that may effectively challenge the prosecution’s case. First, consider the types of homicide charges and how they are commonly fought.

How Does Texas Law Define Homicide?

The Texas Penal Code establishes four types of criminal homicide:

• Murder: This is the most serious charge, referring to the killing of someone with the intent to kill or seriously harm. The prosecution argues that the offender knew their actions would cause severe injuries or death.

• Capital murder: This charge involves the same intention and action as murder, but with other enhancing factors, such as killing a police officer or murdering someone in the course of another serious crime.

• Manslaughter: This charge is less severe and typically applies when the offender unintentionally kills another person as a result of reckless behavior.

• Criminally negligent homicide: This type of homicide refers to unintentionally killing someone through such severe negligence that it shows a reckless disregard for human life.

Sometimes, something you did not expect can result in a homicide charge. For example, giving someone drugs that caused them to overdose, or leaving a loaded gun where a child could reach it, would likely lead to a homicide charge. If you have questions about the charges against you, an experienced attorney can answer them.

Can You Argue Self-Defense in a Texas Murder Case?

According to Texas law, you have the right to defend yourself or someone else from harm or the threat of harm within reason. However, to use that defense, you must be able to prove that the threat was immediate and illegal and that you believed that you had to use force to defend yourself. Furthermore, the force you used must have been reasonably equivalent to the threat.

What Are the Possible Defense Strategies Against a Homicide Charge in Texas?

Your attorney will need to carefully analyze the evidence to identify the most effective defense approach. In addition to self-defense, some common strategies include challenging evidence, presenting other theories for the crime, establishing an alibi, and arguing against the alleged intent. Building a defense is nuanced and complicated, requiring a thorough understanding of the legal process.

Speak With a San Antonio, TX Homicide Defense Attorney Today

Homicide cases can be highly complex, requiring thorough resources and a fearless attitude to challenge them. The San Antonio homicide defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Sam H. Lock has extensive experience in Texas criminal law and is highly attuned to developments in the field of criminal defense. When the stakes are as high as they are in a homicide case, especially when the charge involves murder, you cannot risk facing the charges alone. Call 210-226-0965 today to schedule a consultation and speak with a knowledgeable attorney.