Facing Murder Charges

Penalties for Murder Cases

Murder is one of the most serious crimes a person can be charged with. Murder can be defined as causing the death of another with the intent to kill that person, or recklessly acting in such a way that creates an extreme risk of death to another, and thereby causes their death.

The Alband Law Firm was started by a former Tarrant County Felony Prosecutor, Mr. Alband, who has tried over 100 cases in front of a jury. As an attorney, he has the knowledge and the skill to put together the strong defense you will need if you have been accused of murder.

Our firm represents all types of homicide (the killing of one person by another) charges:

• Capital murder ( carries the death penalty)
• Manslaughter
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Intoxication Manslaughter
• Negligent homicide

If you are convicted of murder you are likely to be looking at a very long sentence, life in prison or even death. Since 1819, Texas has executed more people than any other state, with 1212 executions as of July 2010.

Types of Murder Charges in Texas

Contrary to many other states, Texas does not make a distinction between first and second-degree murder but rather classifies it as capital murder and murder. Capital murder is the most serious homicide offense a person can be accused of. It occurs when a person commits murder and:

• murders a peace officer or fireman who is acting in the lawful discharge of an official duty and who the person knows is a peace officer or fireman
• intentionally commits murder in the course of committing or attempting to commit kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, obstruction or retaliation, or terroristic threat
• commits murder for remuneration or the promise of remuneration or employs another to commit murder for remuneration or the promise of remuneration
• commits murder while escaping or attempting to escape from a penal institution
• while incarcerated in a penal institution, murders another:
  • who is employed in the operation of the penal institution
  • with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination
• the person murders another while:
  • incarcerated for an offense Section 19.01 or 19.02
  • serving a sentence of life imprisonment or a term of 99 years for an offense under Section 20.04, 22.021, or 29.03
• murders more than one person during the same criminal transaction or different criminal transactions but the murders are committed pursuant to the same scheme or course of conduct
• murders an individual under 10 years of age or older than 10 but younger than 15 years of age
• murders another person in retaliation for or on account of the service or status of the other person as a judge or justice of the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, a district court, a criminal district court, a constitutional county court, a statutory county court, a justice court, or a municipal court

By definition, a person commits murder, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison and/or a $10,000 fine, if they:

• intentionally or knowingly cause the death of an individual
• intend to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual
• commit or attempt to commit a felony other than manslaughter, and during and in furtherance of the commission or attempt, or in immediate flight from the commission or attempt, they commit or attempt to commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual

However, a person may get a second-degree felony charge if, at the punishment stage of their trial, they prove that the death was caused under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause. If successful, a defendant will face two to 20 years in prison and/or $10,000 fines.

A Strong Defense for Your Case

When you have been charged with murder it is crucial to your case that the investigation is done quickly and thoroughly. Our criminal defense team has the know-how and resources to swiftly revisit the crime scene, interview witnesses and review evidence. We understand the possible defenses that may be used in your case; self-defense, mistaken identity, duress, defense of a third person, necessity, insanity.

If you have been charged with murder, you should secure the services of an attorney as soon as possible. Our firm is committed to aggressively defending your legal rights.