Criminally Negligent Homicide

Accidental deaths are, of course, tragedies for the victim’s family. They are, however, also tragedies for the accused and their loved ones. Police, prosecutors, and courts take any case that results in death incredibly seriously. As a result, you could be facing serious prison time, fines, and a life forever changed.

With so much on the line, someone must thoroughly and fairly investigate your case. Furthermore, you need a compassionate, experienced, and dedicated team in your corner. You need Dallas criminally negligent homicide attorney Mike Howard.

Dallas Criminally Negligent Homicide Attorney

If you or someone you love has been accused of criminally negligent homicide in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas criminally negligent homicide attorney Mike Howard has the experience, trial skills, and dedication that you need when you are fighting for your life. We will do everything we can to fight for you. Moreover, Mr. Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options. 

A Different Kind of Attorney

We approach our clients differently than a lot of attorneys. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of attorney you’ve come to the right place.

Our Case Process

Listen & Understand

We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.

Open Communication

We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.

Fight for Justice

Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.

Criminally Negligent Homicide Charges in Dallas

There are four categories of homicide in Texas: murder, capital murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. The most important distinction between each type of homicide charge is the mental state of the accused at the time of the act.

A person commits criminally negligent homicide (Texas Penal Code § 19.05) if they cause the death of another by criminal negligence.

According to Texas Penal Code § 6.03, a person acts with criminal negligence when they ought to be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the circumstances exist or the result will occur. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the ordinary standard of care. That standard of care is based on the circumstances viewed from the actor’s standpoint.

See our murder page and manslaughter page for more information.  For more information about violent crimes generally, see our violent crimes page

Resources and Information

See our criminal defense resource center for more information from Dallas criminally negligent homicide attorney Mike Howard on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more.

Criminally Negligent Homicide Penalties

Criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony. A state jail felony is the lowest category or degree of felony. It is, however, still very serious. As a result, you could face 180 days – 2 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.

Defending Criminally Negligent Homicide Charges in Dallas

First and foremost, the prosecutor must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails. As a result, the court must find you not guilty. This means you don’t have to prove that you didn’t do it. You don’t have to prove anything!

The only way the prosecution wins is if the jury believes their story is the only reasonable way it could’ve happened. If they have any reasonable doubts that it actually happened, they must find you not guilty. If they reasonably think it could’ve happened another way, they must find you not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented by a skilled Dallas criminally negligent homicide attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.

Choosing the Right Criminally Negligent Homicide Attorney

Searching for criminally negligent homicide lawyers in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Attorneys are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.

First, talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Secondly, do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Third, beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case. Absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.

What Makes Mike Howard Different

Many lawyers take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach. A knowledgeable client is a happy client. Therefore, we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.

Visit Our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit Our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.

Dallas Criminally Negligent Homicide Attorney Mike Howard

Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas criminally negligent homicide attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system. 

Client-Centered

The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals.  I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, and their options. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.

Willing to Fight

Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court.  I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas criminally negligent homicide attorney has a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it can make all the difference in the world.