Murder
When you or a loved one is charged with murder, the stakes literally couldn’t be higher. Texas police, prosecutors, and courts take murder cases very seriously and prosecute them aggressively. You absolutely need an experienced, aggressive Dallas murder attorney in your corner. You need someone with the experience and legal knowledge it takes to get you the best result possible. First, the best murder defense attorneys in Dallas have experience handling the highest-level criminal cases. Secondly, they also have an excellent reputation inside and outside the courtroom. Third (and perhaps most importantly), they investigate their cases thoroughly. Finally, they aren’t afraid to fight for their clients.
At the Law Office of Mike Howard, we understand that being accused of continuous murder can be frightening and frustrating, to say the least. It is extremely common to feel alone and isolated, not knowing who you can trust. You need to be able to turn to someone you know you can trust. You need an experienced and compassionate Dallas murder attorney on your side.
Dallas Murder Attorney
If you or someone you love has been accused of murder in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas murder 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.
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.
Murder Charges in Dallas
A person commits murder (Texas Penal Code § 19.02) if they:
- intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another person. OR
- intend to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of the individual. OR
- commit or attempt to commit a felony, and in the course of and in furtherance of the commission of that felony, commit or attempt to commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual. Deaths caused while trying to get away after the commission of the felony also count under this section.
Related Charges
Deaths caused by recklessness are manslaughter. For more information about manslaughter charges, see our manslaughter page and intoxication manslaughter page. Deaths caused by criminal negligence are criminally negligent homicide. See our criminally negligent homicide page for more information. For more information about violent crimes in general, see our violent crimes page.
Resources and Information
See our criminal defense resource center for more information from Dallas murder attorney Mike Howard on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more.
Murder Penalties
Murder is a first-degree felony. As a result, you could face 5 – 99 years or life imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.
Sudden passion not necessarily a defense to murder, but it does lessen the punishment. This can be a very effective way to mitigate the sentence if the case cannot be completely defeated in court. Sudden passion means passion directly caused by or arising out of provocation by the person killed or another acting with the person killed. The reaction to this passion must be immediate for sudden passion to apply.
Sudden passion reduces the offense to a second-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Defending Murder 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 murder attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Murder Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for murder 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 Murder 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 murder 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 murder attorney has a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it can make all the difference in the world.
