Criminally negligent homicide charges arise whenever there is an accident that results in another person’s death. According to the Texas Penal Code, if there is a “gross deviation” from what a normal person would do in the same set of circumstances, this amounts to criminal negligence. Unfortunately, the concept of negligent homicide is very broad, and it can therefore encompass a large number of circumstances. As a result, even those who are responsible and law-abiding citizens could find themselves facing negligent murder charges.
Some of the behaviors that could result in charges of criminally negligent murder include:
Criminally negligent murder is considered a state jail felony, which involves 180 days to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. If the incident involved a motor vehicle, the accused also faces the loss of driving privileges and increased auto insurance premiums. The social stigma associated with negligent murder could also affect one socially and economically as well.
In addition to criminal sanctions, the family of the victim could also bring about a civil lawsuit for damages. This would not be considered a violation of the double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment, since civil actions do not result in jail time.
In defending those who are charged with criminally negligent homicide, murder attorneys will attempt to cast reasonable doubt as to whether or not the defendant’s actions or lack thereof actually caused the death of another. They may do this by showing the jury proof that the accused actually did take the proper precautions or by providing evidence that would show that the victim could have prevented the accident but did not. A negligent homicide lawyer may also attempt to persuade the jury that the client actually did act in the same manner as anyone else would under the same set of circumstances.
Criminally negligent murder charges can impact your life and livelihood, which means you need a trustworthy and skilled defense attorney by your side. You can trust Brett A. Podolsky, as he is an experienced trial lawyer who has obtained a multitude of “not guilty” verdicts over the years. As a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, he is dedicated to ensuring each client gets the best legal representation they can possibly have.
For a free case consultation, contact Brett A. Podolsky at 713-227-0087.
