If you have been charged with murder in Texas, you could face life in prison or even the death penalty upon conviction. Texas is one of the toughest states in the nation on violent crime, and if you do not have a compelling defense strategy, you are unlikely to beat a murder charge.
A murder lawyer in Frisco, TX from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can fight these allegations on your behalf.
The sooner you get us involved in your case, the better, so call us right away, even if the state has not formally filed charges. The more time a murder lawyer in Frisco has to investigate and craft your defense, the more likely they can help you beat the charge. Our team offers a free, no-risk case evaluation. To speak with a member of our staff today, call 214-696-9253.
Murder vs. Capital Murder in Texas
Absent mitigating circumstances, such as self-defense, any form of murder constitutes a first-degree felony in Texas. That means you can face up to 99 years in prison (effectively life) or if the prosecutor elects to pursue it, the death penalty.
Capital murder is an enhanced murder charge in Texas. Upon conviction, you will face an automatic life sentence at the minimum, and the death penalty is a strong possibility.
The Definition of Murder in Texas
A person can be convicted of murder in Texas if they are found guilty of:
- Intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person, or
- Causing the death of another person while committing an act clearly intended to inflict severe bodily injury, or
- Committing or attempting to commit a criminal act (other than manslaughter), which kills another person in the process.
The Definition of Capital Murder in Texas
A person can be convicted of capital murder in Texas if they are found guilty of:
- Knowingly murders a police officer or firefighter on duty, or
- Intentionally kills another person while carrying out or attempting to carry out one of several crimes, including robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault, or
- Participates in a murder-for-hire, either as the person soliciting the crime or the person carrying out the killing, or
- Intentionally kills another person while escaping or attempting to escape from a penal institution, or
- Intentionally kills a penal institution employee while incarcerated, or
- Kills a person in prison for financial gain, or
- Murdering more than 1 person during the same act, scheme, or course of conduct, or
- Intentionally killing a person under 10 years old, or
- Murdering another person in retaliation for their service on a state court.
The Penalties for Murder in Texas
As a first-degree felony, a murder conviction carries the following penalties in Texas:
- A minimum of 5 and up to 99 years (or life) in prison;
- A fine of up to $10,000;
- Possible death penalty.
Fighting a Murder Charge in Frisco, TX
Attorney Randall Isenberg and his team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you beat a murder charge in Texas. Our criminal defense lawyers will evaluate your case and, based on the details we find, come up with the best defense strategy.
The Burden of Proof
The biggest thing working in our favor is that the burden of proof rests with the prosecution. That means we do not have to prove you are innocent. Instead, we must prevent the other side from proving beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty. In other words, our job is to create that reasonable doubt.
In a crime as serious as murder, the burden of proof is extremely high. If the jury executes its duty the way it is supposed to, it will not convict a murder suspect without being very sure of the person’s guilt. We will work to make sure that surety never materializes.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
We start by investigating every circumstance surrounding the crime in question. This research may include interviewing witnesses, examining the scene of the crime, talking to forensic experts, reading the police reports, and a host of other efforts. We will look for evidence of a violation of your rights as an accused person. Examples include:
- Illegal search and seizure;
- Improper handling of evidence;
- Failure to inform you of rights;
- Lack of probable cause.
If we find enough evidence in our initial search to call your guilt into serious question, we may be able to convince the prosecution to drop the charges. The state typically has little interest in prosecuting a murder case it feels it has only a small chance of winning.
If the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, we can take your case to trial, at which point there are several defense strategies we can adopt. For instance, we may be able to convince the jury that you were defending your person or property and thus the killing was justified. Alternatively, if there is scant evidence placing you at the scene of the crime, we can focus on this lack of proof.
Every murder case is different, which is why we take the time to conduct an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances of yours. If there is a way to beat the charge, we can find it. To receive a free consultation with a member of our staff, call 214-696-9253.
Call 214-696-9253 Today for a Free Case Evaluation with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg
A murder conviction in Frisco, TX, can effectively end your life as you know it. In a worst-case scenario, it can end your life, period. Attorney Randall Isenberg has spent decades working inside the Texas court system, many of those years as a prosecutor and district judge. He has worked on all sides of murder trials and uses this knowledge and experience to his clients’ advantage. A murder lawyer in Frisco can steer your case to the best possible outcome.
For a free consultation and case evaluation, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at 214-696-9253.
