Arrested for Murder in Central Texas?
Being charged for Murder is a highly serious offense. You will need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The Texas Penal Code outlines different types of criminal homicide as Murder, Capital Murder, Manslaughter, and Criminally Negligent Homicide. Understanding your charge begins with the actual charge itself.
Types of Criminal Homicide
As stated above, the State of Texas Penal Code System defines Criminal Homicide in four different charges: Murder, Capital Murder, Manslaughter, and Criminally Negligent Homicide.
A Murder offense is defined when someone:
- intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another person
- intends to cause extreme bodily injury or commits an act that results in the death of another individual
- commits or attempts to commit a felony offense, other than manslaughter, that is clearly dangerous and causes the death of an individual
(Source: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.19.htm)
The criminal penalties for Murder is a <strong>felony of the first degree</strong> and carries a fine up to $10,000 and a jail sentence of 5 to 99 years in state prison. The consequences from a Murder conviction are extremely serious and require the immediate seek of professional legal counsel. Zac Morris is an experienced criminal defense trial lawyer who has worked numerous Murder charges with favorable outcomes. Hire someone that will be there with you every step of the way, hire someone who knows the legal system, hire Zac Morris today.
A Capital Murder charge in the state of Texas occurs when someone commits Murder as detailed above and:
- murders a peace officer or fireman who is on duty and is aware that the person is a peace officer or fireman
- intentionally commits murder during a kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, obstruction or retaliation, or terroristic threat
- commits murder during a prison or jail escape
- intentionally and knowingly murders another individual while incarcerated in a penal institution
- murders multiple people
- commits the murder of a person under the age of 10 years old
- murders an individual between the ages of 10 and 15 years old
- commits murder in the retaliation of a service
(Source: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.19.htm)
Criminal penalties associated with Capital Murder are the most serious an individual can face. A conviction of Capital Murder in the state of Texas comes with either the death penalty or a life sentence without parole. Since 1976, Texas reinstated the death penalty, and is one of the most active states in handing out death penalty convictions. Since 1982, 569 people have been executed in the state of Texas. Although the rise of death penalty executions have decreased in recent years, the state of Texas still leads other states in handing out such convictions. For more information over the death penalty click here. A Capital Murder arrest is the most serious arrest a person can get in the state of Texas. If you find yourself in such a situation, you need to contact a highly skilled criminal defense trial attorney right away. Zac Morris is an experienced Capital Murder trail lawyer who has handled a multitude of cases in Central Texas. Contact Zac now to have your charges dropped.
Professional Legal Representation
Zac Morris has worked on Murder and Capital Murder cases in Central Texas for years. Zac has worked a variety of Murder cases in Lampasas, Killeen, Temple, Belton, Gatesville, Copperas Cove, Georgetown (Williamson County), Goldthwaite, Burnet, and other Central Texas surrounding cities. Know your rights. If you have been arrested for Murder or Capital Murder, you need to seek professional legal help immediately. If you are convicted of a Murder of Capital Murder charge you can find yourself serving a life sentence or even the death penalty. Contact Zac Morris now and choose the best criminal defense attorney now!