Manslaughter Attorney in Lubbock

Second-Degree Felony Defense for Lubbock County Manslaughter Charges

A manslaughter charge in Texas is a second-degree felony carrying 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The allegation doesn’t require proof of intent, which means prosecutors can pursue these charges in situations that feel far removed from what most people think of as violent crime. At King Law, P.C., we defend clients facing serious criminal charges throughout Texas, building case-specific strategies focused on protecting their rights and pursuing the best available outcome.

If you’re facing a manslaughter allegation in Lubbock, contact us today for a free case review at (806) 370-7800.

What Texas Law Means by Manslaughter

Texas Penal Code Section 19.04 defines manslaughter as recklessly causing the death of an individual. Recklessness means consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk that your conduct could cause death. The prosecution doesn’t need to prove you intended to harm anyone or that you planned anything in advance.

Manslaughter falls under Chapter 19 of the Texas Penal Code alongside murder, capital murder, and criminally negligent homicide. Texas doesn’t divide these charges into voluntary and involuntary categories the way some states do. There’s one manslaughter offense, and the circumstances shape how it’s prosecuted and sentenced.

Manslaughter vs. Murder in Texas

The line between manslaughter and murder comes down to mental state. Murder is an intentional or knowing killing and is generally a first-degree felony with a sentencing range of 5 to 99 years or life. Capital murder applies to aggravated circumstances, such as when the victim is a peace officer, a firefighter, or a child under age 10, and can carry the death penalty or life without parole.

Manslaughter requires only recklessness, placing it one level below murder in both severity and sentencing. That distinction matters in negotiation. When the evidence points more toward reckless disregard than deliberate action, a murder charge can sometimes be reduced to manslaughter as a lesser-included offense. Whether that’s realistic depends on the specific facts of the case.

Types of Manslaughter Charges in Texas

Not every manslaughter case looks the same. Texas law reaches this charge through several different paths:

• Standard manslaughter: Charged under Section 19.04 when reckless conduct causes a death outside the context of intoxication or a vehicle offense.
• Intoxication manslaughter: Defined under Texas Penal Code Section 49.08, this charge applies when a person causes death while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Unlike standard manslaughter, the prosecution doesn’t need to prove a specific mental state. Showing that intoxication caused the death is enough.
• Vehicular manslaughter: Texas has no separate vehicular manslaughter statute. These cases are charged under Section 19.04 or the Texas Transportation Code when reckless driving causes a death.

Both standard manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter are second-degree felonies carrying the same penalty range.

Sentencing, Probation, & Enhancements

A manslaughter conviction carries 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Texas law allows judges and juries to grant probation for manslaughter, and judges may also consider deferred adjudication in plea negotiations. Neither option is available if the defendant used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the offense or during immediate flight from it. A deadly weapon finding can eliminate both probation and deferred adjudication as available outcomes. Community supervision from a suspended sentence cannot exceed 10 years.

A 2023 enhancement elevated manslaughter to a first-degree felony, punishable by 5 to 99 years or life, when a death results from damage to a critical infrastructure facility. This is a narrow but significant exception for anyone whose case involves that fact pattern.

Defense Strategies for a Manslaughter Allegation

Because manslaughter hinges on the recklessness standard, defense work often focuses on whether the prosecution can actually prove that element. Common approaches include:

• Challenging the evidence of recklessness
• Raising self-defense where the facts support it
• Contesting identification
• Asserting an insanity defense in limited circumstances

No two cases reach the same result through the same argument. At King Law, P.C., we start each matter with a thorough case evaluation, reviewing the facts before identifying which defenses are viable. Strategy built around your specific circumstances is how we approach every case.

Attorney Michael King’s Background in Serious Felony Cases

Attorney Michael King served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas from 2007 to 2013. That background includes detention hearings, revocation proceedings, and jury trials in serious felony matters. Federal and state court procedures differ substantially, and when a manslaughter case carries any federal exposure, that experience is directly relevant. King Law, P.C. holds an Avvo rating that reflects its professional conduct, and clients throughout Texas have trusted us for grounded, committed representation in high-stakes criminal matters.

Where Lubbock Manslaughter Cases Are Prosecuted

Felony criminal matters in Lubbock County, including manslaughter charges, are heard in the 137th, 140th, and 364th District Courts. By agreement, these courts handle felony criminal and juvenile cases at the Lubbock County Courthouse. Understanding how these courts operate and what prosecutors in this jurisdiction typically pursue shapes how we prepare each case from the start.

Start with a Free Case Review

A manslaughter charge is serious, and early decisions about your defense can affect everything that follows. Our free initial case review gives you a clear picture of the charges you’re facing and the defense options available before you commit to anything.

King Law, P.C. represents clients across Lubbock and throughout Texas. As a manslaughter attorney in Lubbock familiar with the local courts, Attorney Michael King is ready to evaluate your case and build a defense around your facts. Call (806) 370-7800 to schedule your free consultation today.