Criminally Negligent Homicide in Fort Worth

Criminally negligent homicide takes a typically civil concept – negligence – and uses it to hold a person criminally responsible for the death of another. Criminally negligent homicide in Fort Worth occurs when a person causes the death of another by acting negligently in a manner that was a gross deviation from what a reasonable person would have done.

What is Criminal Negligence?

A person acts with criminal negligence, or is criminally negligent, with respect to the result of his conduct when he or she ought to be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that 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 standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the actor’s standpoint.

How is Reckless Defined?

A person acts recklessly, or is reckless, with respect to the result of his conduct when he or she is aware of but consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the result will occur. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that its disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the actor’s standpoint.

What’s the Difference between Criminally Negligent Homicide and Manslaughter?

Let’s use this example to distinguish between criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter in Texas. Imagine a man driving his vehicle on nearly bald tires is unable to stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle and kills another driver. There will certainly be a strong argument that he should have been aware that driving on bald tires was a taking a substantial and unjustifiable risk that he could cause the death of another.

Now let’s build on the example and imagine the driver failed a state inspection and knows he needs to replace his tires, and then is involved in a traffic accident where he is unable to stop in time and causes the death of another. Here, the State will be able to allege that he was aware of but consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that caused the death of another. These facts might rise to the level of manslaughter in Texas. Learn more about manslaughter in Texas.

What is the Punishment for Criminally Negligent Homicide in Texas?

Criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony, which is punishable by six months to two years in a state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Criminally Negligent Homicide in Texas?

The statute of limitations is three years in Texas.

Criminally Negligent Homicide Defense

Because the potential punishments for criminally negligent homicide can be severe, it’s important to contact a skilled defense attorney as soon as possible. We can help. We have decades of experience and a proven record of success.

Learn more: Harris County Criminal Defense Attorney