San Antonio Murder Defense Attorney
Expert Murder Defense Attorneys in San Antonio, Texas
Homicide is the act of killing another person, and it is a crime that is punishable under the law. In the state of Texas, four different types of homicide are recognized under the penal code: murder, capital murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. A San Antonio murder defense attorney can provide crucial legal representation for those facing serious homicide charges, helping to navigate the complex legal system and build a strong defense.
- Murder: Under Texas law, murder is defined as intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person. Murder is punishable as a first-degree felony.
- Capital Murder: Capital murder is a type of murder that is punishable by the death penalty. In Texas, there are several circumstances that can qualify a murder as capital murder, such as killing a law enforcement officer, killing more than one person in a single criminal transaction, or killing a witness to prevent them from testifying in a criminal case.
- Manslaughter: Manslaughter is a type of homicide that is committed. It is less serious than murder, and it is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
- Criminally Negligent Homicide: Criminally negligent homicide is a type of homicide that is committed through criminal negligence. It is punishable by up to 2 years in prison.
It is important to note that the severity of the punishment for each type of homicide depends on the specific circumstances of the case and the offender’s criminal history. If you have been charged with any type of murder in San Antonio, Texas, it is crucial that you seek legal representation from our San Antonio murder defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and defend yourself against the charges.
FORMER PROSECUTOR
San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney Brad Thornton has spent years in court rooms fighting for justice. As a prosecutor, Brad was a leader on cases ranging from marijuana to murder from arrest to appeal. Who better to fight for your rights than someone who knows the “other side” and has tried the toughest of cases out there. Put his experience and knowledge to work for you.
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Defenses to Murder in San Antonio
There are several defenses that a person charged with murder in San Antonio, Texas may raise to try to avoid a conviction. Some of the most successful defenses to murder include:
- Self-defense: Self-defense is a common defense to murder charges in Texas. To claim self-defense, the defendant must show that they believed that they were in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death and that the use of deadly force was necessary to prevent the harm.
- Defense of others: Like self-defense, a person may claim that they were defending another person from harm when they killed the victim.
- Lack of intent: To be convicted of murder in Texas, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant intended to kill the victim. If the defendant can show that they did not have the required intent, they may be able to avoid a murder conviction, although they may also be convicted on a lesser charge such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.
- Insanity: If the defendant was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the crime, they may be able to use the insanity defense to avoid a murder conviction. To use this defense, the defendant must show that they did not understand the nature of their actions or that they were unable to distinguish right from wrong.
It is important to note that these defenses may not be successful in every case, and the success of a defense will depend on the specific facts of the case and the evidence that is available. If you have been charged with murder in Texas, it is essential that you seek legal representation from the criminal defense attorneys at Thornton Criminal Defense as soon as possible to explore your defense options and protect your rights.
Punishment Ranges
| Level of Offense | Potential Incarceration | Potential Fine |
| First-degree Felony | 5 - 99 years in prison | Up to $10,000 |
| Second-degree Felony | 2 - 20 years in prison | Up to $10,000 |
| Third-degree Felony | 2 - 10 years in prison | Up to $10,000 |
| State Jail Felony | 180 days - 2 years in jail | Up to $10,000 |
| Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail | Up to $4,000 |
| Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180 days in jail | Up to $2,000 |
Punishment for Murder in Texas
In Texas, Murder is classified as a first-degree felony and is punishable by up a minimum of five years to 99 years of life in prison. Because it is listed in Section 42A.054 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a person convicted of murder will not become eligible for parole until double the time for most other offenses. Also, probation is never available as an option from the judge or jury once you have been convicted of murder.
Sudden Passion Defense to Murder in San Antonio, Texas
Sudden passion is a legal defense to murder that is raised at the punishment phase of trial after a conviction. This defense reduces the punishment range to that equivalent to manslaughter, which is 2 to 20 years in prison. This is still high but way better than facing a potential life sentence.
To raise the defense of sudden passion, the defendant must show that they acted in the heat of the moment in response to sudden provocation. This means that the defendant must have been provoked by the victim in some way and that the provocation caused the defendant to lose control and act impulsively.
To be successful, the defense of sudden passion must show that the defendant’s actions were the result of the sudden provocation and that they were not premeditated or planned in advance. If the defense can show this, the range of punishment may be reduced.
It is important to note that the defense of sudden passion is not available in all cases, and it is not a complete defense to the charge of murder.
Schedule a Consultation with our San Antonio Murder Defense Lawyers Today
If you have been charged with murder in the state of Texas, it is essential that you seek legal representation as soon as possible. A criminal defense attorney can help you understand the charges that you are facing and the potential consequences that you may be facing, and they can work with you to develop a defense strategy that is tailored to your specific case.
There are several reasons why you should consider calling San Antonio murder defense attorney, Brad Thornton, for a free consultation if you have been charged with murder in Texas.
- First, as a former chief prosecutor, he has a unique perspective on the criminal justice system and knows how to anticipate the tactics that the prosecution may use against you. This can be a valuable asset in building a strong defense. During his time as a chief prosecutor he has tried numerous cases, including several high-profile murder trials.
- Second, Brad Thornton is a highly skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney who has a deep understanding of the law and knows how to navigate the criminal justice system. He has the knowledge and experience necessary to defend you against the charges that you are facing.
- Finally, Brad Thornton is a compassionate and understanding attorney who truly cares about his clients. He knows that being charged with murder is a stressful and overwhelming experience, and he is committed to doing everything he can to help you through this difficult time. He will work closely with you to understand your situation and to develop a defense strategy that is tailored to your specific needs.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Attorney Brad Thornton is a board-certified criminal defense attorney who has a wealth of experience in the criminal justice system.
