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Texas Capital Murder Lawyers

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How is "Murder" Defined?

Murder is defined as an unlawful homicide done with malice aforethought. This means a defendant is guilty when there was no legal reason for them to kill another human being. In Texas, a first-degree murder conviction is punishable by 5 to 99 years in prison. But in Texas, a murder charge can also be upgraded to a capital murder charge.

What is Capital Murder?

Capital murder is when a murder was committed during the course of a felony. Texas has a list of felonies that elevate a first degree murder to capital murder.

Why was I Charged with Capital Murder?

Texas has nine circumstances that will increase a first-degree murder charge to a capital murder charge:

The victim was a police officer or first responder acting in the line of duty
The person intentionally committed murder during felonious crime, such as kidnapping, burglary, robbery, arson, aggravated sexual assault, obstruction, retaliation, or a terrorist threat.
Murder for hire or the promise of money in return for committing murder
The victim died while the person tried to attempt to or actually escape from prison or jail
The person murders another while incarcerated
A person murders the victim in retaliation for, because the service of, or because of the status of a judge or justice
The victim is younger than 10 years-old
The person murders more than one victim during single or multiple crimes