Houston Murder Defense Lawyer
Practice Areas
Skilled Murder Defense Attorney in Harris County, TX
Facing a murder charge is one of the most daunting situations anyone can experience, and having the right Houston murder defense lawyer by your side can make a difference in how your case ends. At B. Keith Jackson, Attorney and Counselor at Law PLLC, we represent individuals throughout Houston, TX, and Harris County who have been accused of murder or other violent crimes.
Whether you’re under investigation or already charged, criminal defense attorney B. Keith Jackson will work to protect your rights and build a strong defense strategy. With decades of experience handling criminal cases in both state and federal courts, our law firm understands how the criminal justice system works and how to fight for a not guilty verdict, case dismissal, or reduced charges.
Call (281) 545-5020 or contact us online to schedule your initial consultation with a Houston violent crime lawyer today.
Types of Murder Charges in Texas
In Texas, murder is considered a homicide offense, which means it involves the unlawful killing of another person. Under Texas criminal law, there are different types of homicide, including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and murder.
What sets murder apart is that it usually involves intent, meaning the person accused is believed to have intended to cause serious harm or death. Murder charges in Texas are divided into two main types: murder and capital murder. Both carry extremely severe penalties, including the possibility of a life sentence.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Houston, it’s important to seek legal representation right away. Let an experienced Houston criminal defense attorney help you through the legal process.
Texas Penal Code Murder
Under Texas Penal Code § 19.02, a person commits murder when they do any of the following:
- Intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another person.
- Intend to cause serious bodily injury, and someone dies as a result.
- Causes someone’s death while committing another felony crime (this is called the felony murder rule).
- Manufacture or sell specific controlled substances, and someone dies after using that substance (known as the fentanyl murder law).
Texas law focuses on the person’s intent and the circumstances of the act. If someone meant to cause harm, provided dangerous drugs, or committed another felony that caused a death, they can be charged with murder under this section.
Capital Murder vs. Murder
Capital murder is the most severe type of murder charge. It includes specific facts or situations that make the offense more aggressive than regular murder. According to Texas Penal Code § 19.03, a person can be charged with capital murder if they intentionally cause someone’s death and:
- The victim is a police officer, firefighter, or prison employee who is on duty
- The person kills someone during another felony crime like aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, arson, obstruction, retaliation, or terroristic threat.
- The person commits murder for hire (pays or is paid to kill someone)
- More than one person is killed during the same act or as part of a connected plan
- The person kills someone while trying to escape from jail or prison
- The victim is a child under 10 years old
- The victim is a judge killed in retaliation for a court decision
Because these situations are considered especially serious, the district attorney’s office pursues the harshest penalties available under Texas Law. With so much at stake, it’s essential to have an experienced attorney who will provide the strongest possible legal defense.
Punishments for Murder in Texas
Being charged with murder is one of the most critical legal situations you can face. A criminal conviction carries life-changing penalties, and even the accusation alone can impact every part of your life. Below are the potential punishments for a murder charge in Texas:
- Murder (First-Degree Felony)
- 5 to 99 years in state prison or a life sentence
- Fine of up to $10,000
- Capital Murder (Capital Felony)
- Life in prison without parole
- Death penalty (in certain cases)
The punishment for a murder conviction doesn’t stop at prison. Even if you don’t receive a life sentence, your entire future can be affected. A conviction takes away your right to vote, your right to carry a firearm, and leaves you with a permanent criminal record. That record can make it nearly impossible to find a good job, rent a home, or keep custody of your children.
In many cases, just being falsely accused of murder can destroy your reputation, harm your relationships, and cost you your career. That’s why it’s so important to get a powerful legal defense as early as possible.
Why Having a Houston Criminal Attorney is Essential
When you’re facing charges as serious as murder, having a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer in Houston can make a real difference in the outcome of your case. These charges are severe and often involve aggressive prosecutors and high-stakes trials in Texas State Court.
A skilled criminal attorney will know how to carefully examine the evidence, challenge the prosecution’s claims, and build the strongest defense strategy possible. Whether it’s fighting for reduced charges or a not guilty verdict, your lawyer’s job is to defend your rights every step of the way.
Potential Defenses to Murder in Texas
If you’re facing a murder charge, there are several ways a Houston criminal defense lawyer may be able to fight the case against you. Depending on the facts and the results of the criminal investigation, the right defense strategy could lead to the case being dismissed, a reduction in charges, or a fair plea bargain that avoids the most severe penalties.
Here are some common defenses to murder charges in Texas:
- Self-defense – You used force because you reasonably believed your life, or someone else’s life, was in immediate danger.
- Lack of intent – You didn’t mean to kill anyone or cause serious harm. The death may have happened unexpectedly or during an accident without any plan or intent to hurt someone.
- False accusation – Someone may have lied or been mistaken when they accused you. In some cases, people are falsely accused due to personal grudges or pressure from law enforcement.
- Mistaken identity – You were confused with someone else, possibly due to a poor eyewitness description, surveillance footage, or incorrect assumptions made by investigators.
- Alibi – You were not at the scene when the crime happened and have evidence or witnesses that prove you were somewhere else at the time.
- Mental illness or insanity – You were suffering from a severe mental condition that made you unable to understand what you were doing or that your actions were wrong.
- Unlawful police conduct – Law enforcement violated your rights during the criminal investigation, such as conducting an illegal search, failing to get a warrant, or not reading you your Miranda rights. This could lead to key evidence being thrown out and your case dismissed.
The right defense strategy can mean the difference between a not guilty verdict and spending decades in prison. That’s why it’s so important to work with a dedicated criminal defense lawyer who knows how to challenge the state’s case.
Statute of Limitations for Murder in Texas
In Texas, there is no statute of limitations for murder charges. This means that a person can be prosecuted for murder at any time, whether the crime happened last year or decades ago. Murder is treated differently from other criminal offenses, so the state allows charges to be filed without time limits.
If you have been accused or are under criminal investigation for a murder case in Houston, TX, even years after the alleged crime, you still face the full force of the criminal justice system.
A Houston murder defense lawyer at B. Keith Jackson, Attorney and Counselor at Law PLLC, can represent you in both state and federal courts, fighting to protect your rights with a firm and focused legal defense.
Texas Criminal Law Murder Charge FAQs
What is Capital Murder in Texas?
Capital murder is the most serious murder charge under Texas criminal law. It includes special circumstances that make it more severe than other homicides. Capital murder cases are treated with the highest level of punishment in the criminal justice system, including the death penalty or life in prison without parole. These cases often go to trial in Texas State Court or federal court.
What is the Sentence for Murder in Texas?
A person convicted of murder in Texas faces a first-degree felony charge, which carries a punishment of 5 to 99 years in prison or a life sentence. There may also be a fine of up to $10,000. A murder conviction comes with a permanent criminal record and can affect every part of your life, from employment and housing opportunities to your relationships and reputation.
What is the Minimum Sentence for Murder in Texas?
The minimum sentence for a murder conviction in Texas is 5 years in prison. However, the right attorney can help reduce that sentence or lower the charge. Depending on the facts of your case, your Houston murder defense lawyer could negotiate a plea bargain, argue for a lesser charge, or fight to have your case dismissed if the evidence is weak or unreliable.
One crucial factor that can affect sentencing is the concept of “sudden passion.” This means you acted in the heat of the moment, often due to strong emotions triggered by the victim, and didn’t plan the act.
If your lawyer can prove sudden passion in your case, the charge may be reduced to a second-degree felony, and the sentence could be lowered to a minimum of 2 years in prison.
Can You Get Bail for Murder in Texas?
In most murder cases, a person is entitled to bond while awaiting trial. However, if you're charged with capital murder, it is up to the judge to decide whether you qualify for bail. The judge may deny bond based on the facts of the case.
What’s the Difference Between Murder and Manslaughter in Texas?
The main difference between murder and manslaughter is intent. Murder involves intentionally or knowingly causing someone’s death. Manslaughter, on the other hand, happens when someone causes a death by acting recklessly but without the intent to kill. For example, driving over the speed limit and causing a car accident that results in someone else's death.
While both are serious criminal charges, murder carries more severe penalties. An experienced manslaughter attorney in Houston may be able to argue that your actions were reckless, not intentional, which could reduce your charge and lower your potential sentence.
Why Trust B. Keith Jackson as Your Houston Murder Defense Lawyer?
Facing a murder charge demands focused representation from a Houston criminal defense attorney who understands the high stakes involved in these criminal cases. B. Keith Jackson provides clear legal guidance in situations where your freedom and future depend on the strength of your defense. His law offices handle serious allegations with a disciplined approach that prioritizes investigation, preparation, and strategy.
Clients turn to him as their criminal lawyer because they need someone who evaluates every detail, challenges weak evidence, and protects their rights at every stage of the case. Murder charges carry life-altering consequences, which makes a committed defense essential. You deserve an advocate who communicates honestly, stands firm against the prosecution, and works to secure the best possible outcome for your situation.
Charged With Murder or Another Criminal Offense? Call a Texas Criminal Homicide Defense Attorney Right Away
When you’re facing a murder charge in Houston, TX, your future is on the line. But remember, you are innocent until proven guilty, and you have the right to defend yourself with the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney. At B. Keith Jackson, Attorney and Counselor at Law PLLC, we take every case seriously and work hard to give you the strongest defense possible.
Don’t take chances with other law offices; call the best criminal defense attorney for your situation. Whether you’ve just been arrested or are already facing trial, we’re here to help you avoid a criminal conviction.
Call (281) 545-5020 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Houston murder defense lawyer today.
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