Crimes of Violence Criminal Defense Attorneys, Austin TX

Murder Defense

Assaultive offenses generally include assault, battery, domestic (or family) violence, aggravated assault, and homicide. If you are charged or arrested for murder you need to consult with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The lawyers at Gunter and Bennett are well versed in assaultive offenses. Please note that the criminal laws in Texas involve a separate process when a juvenile is charged with a crime.
Of course, the highest level of assaultive offenses is homicide which includes the offenses: murder, capital murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. These are very serious crimes. Generally, murder is where a person intentionally or knowingly causes the death of a person. A person may be charged with capital murder where they intentionally or knowingly cause the death of a person in the course of committing another offense such as robbery, burglary, kidnapping (just to name a few). Manslaughter is charged when a person recklessly causes the death of another. Finally, criminally negligent homicide is just that, homicide that is caused by criminal negligence.

Punishment for Murder

In the state of Texas, the criminal penalties for homicide offenses are severe. If you are facing a murder charge, you may be looking at a first degree felony, which carries a prison sentence of 5 to 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction. In cases of capital murder, a conviction can result in life imprisonment or even capital punishment. It is worth noting that if you are convicted of capital murder, you will not be subject to a fine.

It is essential to understand that there are several factors that can constitute murder. In general, murder is defined as the intentional or knowing killing of another person. A person may be charged with capital murder if they intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another person while committing another felony offense, such as robbery or kidnapping. On the other hand, manslaughter is charged when a person recklessly causes the death of another person. Finally, criminally negligent homicide involves causing a death through criminal negligence.

A murder conviction can have life-altering consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can develop a strong defense strategy and potentially reduce the charges or penalties. If you are facing a murder charge, it is important to act quickly and retain an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can review the evidence against you and develop a defense strategy tailored to the specific circumstances of your case. They may challenge the prosecution’s evidence, assert affirmative defenses, or attempt to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury.

In conclusion, the criminal penalties for murder committed in Texas are severe, and a murder conviction can have life-altering consequences. However, with the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney, it may be possible to mitigate the charges or penalties. A defense strategy will typically be tailored to the specific circumstances of the case and may involve the use of expert witnesses, cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, assertion of constitutional rights, and plea bargaining.

Understanding Defense Strategies

In legal terms, defense strategies are the tactics and arguments used by a defense team to contest the charges against their client. A defense strategy can encompass a wide range of approaches, such as challenging the validity of the evidence presented by the prosecution, asserting affirmative defenses, or attempting to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury.
A defense team’s strategy will typically be tailored to the specific circumstances of the case and will depend on factors such as the nature of the charges, the strength of the evidence, and the client’s criminal history.

Common defense strategies include the use of expert witnesses, cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, the assertion of constitutional rights, and plea bargaining. The choice of a defense strategy will often be informed by the goal of achieving the best possible outcome for the defendant, whether that be an acquittal, a reduced sentence, or a plea deal.

Overall, defense strategies are critical to the success of a criminal defense case. They require a deep understanding of the law, the facts of the case, and the tactics of the prosecution. A skilled defense team will work to develop and execute a strategy that presents the strongest possible defense for their client, while also navigating the complexities of the legal system to achieve the best possible outcome.

The Importance of a Strong Defense

When it comes to homicide charges, having a strong defense strategy is essential. The consequences of a conviction can be life-changing, including lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. A skilled defense attorney will work tirelessly to protect your rights and build a case that challenges the prosecution’s evidence and arguments. They will investigate the details of the case, interview witnesses, and consult with experts to develop a strategy that best suits your situation. With the right defense team on your side, you can be confident that your case will be thoroughly and skillfully handled.

The Role of Expert Witnesses

Expert witnesses can be a crucial element in developing a successful defense strategy in cases involving deadly weapons. These professionals possess specialized knowledge and training in areas such as ballistics and forensic science, which may be relevant to the case. By providing testimony and analysis, they can help the defense team challenge the prosecution’s evidence and strengthen their arguments.
For instance, if the prosecution has accused the defendant of using a deadly weapon to harm someone, an expert witness can provide testimony that questions the accuracy of the prosecution’s evidence. Alternatively, if the prosecution has accused the defendant of harming the wrong person, an expert witness can use their specialized knowledge to successfully argue that the prosecution’s evidence does not support their claim. The use of expert witnesses in such cases can be instrumental in creating doubt in the minds of the jury and ultimately achieving a successful outcome for the defense.

Let Our Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys Help You Build a Strong Defense

If you are facing murder charges, your freedom is at stake, and it’s crucial to have a strong defense strategy. At Gunter, Bennett and Anthes, Attorneys at Law in Austin, TX, we are here to help. Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys understands the complexities of murder cases and can provide you with the guidance and representation you need. We have a track record of success in helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome and will work tirelessly to build the strongest possible defense for your case. We are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary and will use all available resources to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you with your murder defense.

How can we help you?

Experienced lawyers are ready to help.

Manslaughter Defense is never a nine-to-five job; we’re here when you need us.

Questions and Answers in Navigating Murder Charges

First degree murder is the most serious of all the different degrees of murder. Texas does not officially refer to first-degree murder as “first-degree murder.” Rather, it is referred to as capital murder and is charged as a first-degree felony punishable by up to a lifetime in prison or the death penalty.

In the state of Texas, second degree murder is referred to simply as “murder” and is charged as a first-degree felony unless the defendant is able to prove that the act was committed as a crime of passion.

There are only three states in America that have third-degree murder laws — Minnesota, Florida, and Pennsylvania — and each has its own set of laws regarding what is considered third-degree murder. Because Texas is not one of these states, you cannot be charged with third-degree murder.

  • Justifiable homicide – Not all murders amount to crimes, particularly when they can be justified. One of the most common legal justifications for the killing of another person is self-defense or the defense of others. These justifications are difficult to prove, and they require defendants to show that reasonable force was used in response to a reasonable fear or death or bodily harm, or a reasonable fear of death or bodily harm to another. Other justified homicides may include exercises of duty, such as when law enforcement and other public officers use reasonable force without unlawful intent.
  • Reduced culpability – Murder charges are structured in a way that different charges have different levels of culpability. This means that the level of criminal liability will vary from charge to charge. For example, first-degree murder is considered the most serious criminal charge with the greatest level of criminal liability because it involves willful and premeditated murder. Second-degree murder, on the other hand, is an intentional murder that is not premeditated or planned. While all murders are culpable homicides, not all culpable homicides can be charged as murder. When pursuing reduced charges as part of a murder defense, attorneys may focus on elements such as intent. Manslaughter charges, for instance, involve recklessly or, in some cases, negligently causing the death of another, and they pose less severe penalties than murder charges.
  • False confessions – Law enforcement is zealous about making arrests in murder cases. While this is warranted considered public risks, their zealousness can lead to inappropriate or coercive interrogation tactics, violations of procedure, and violations of civil rights. When a confession can be proven as false, coerced, or involuntary, it may be excluded from evidence.
  • Unlawful searches and seizures – When law enforcement officers conduct unlawful searches that allow them to secure evidence used against a murder defendant, or detain or arrest a suspect, they violate procedure and civil rights. As such, evidence obtained through unlawful searches and seizures can be thrown out, which makes the prosecution’s task of proving guilt much more difficult.
  • Mistaken identity – Statistics show that mistaken identification is the leading cause of wrongful convictions in our criminal justice system. Unfortunately, witness testimony is not always reliable. After all, witnesses may see one person when other witnesses see another. Time and other factors can also alter memories. For example, time may cause a witness to remember a green car as a blue car. Arguing mistaken identity rests on showing that identification is unreliable and that there is reasonable doubt as to the identity of the real offender.

  1. Follow the lawyer’s instructions: Your lawyer will give you specific instructions on what to do next. It is important that you follow their advice, as they are the experts in the field.
  2. Provide all necessary information: Your lawyer will need all the information that you can provide about the incident, including any witnesses, evidence, and details about the victim. This will help them build a strong defense for you.
  3. Be truthful: It is important that you are completely honest with your lawyer about what happened. They cannot effectively defend you if they do not have all the facts.
  4. Stay calm and patient: Navigating murder charges can be a long and complicated process. It is important to remain calm and patient throughout the entire process.
  5. Attend all court appearances: It is important that you attend all court appearances, including arraignment, pretrial hearings, and trial. Your lawyer will advise you on what to expect at each of these stages.
  6. Keep your lawyer informed: If you have any new information about the incident, or if anything changes, it is important to keep your lawyer informed. They need to know everything that is going on in order to defend you effectively.
  7. Avoid discussing the case with anyone else: It is important to avoid discussing the case with anyone other than your lawyer. This includes friends, family, and even social media. Anything you say could potentially be used against you in court.
  8. Trust your lawyer: Your lawyer is working hard to defend you, and they have your best interests at heart. Trust them to guide you through the process and advocate for you in court.

Texas Penal Code, Chapter 9, Subchapter C Sections 9.31 through 9.44 are commonly referred to as the “Castle Doctrine” or “Stand Your Ground” laws. These laws essentially provide individuals with legal protections when they use force in self-defense, including deadly force, in certain circumstances.

The Castle Doctrine refers to the concept that a person’s home is their castle and they have the right to defend it from intruders. This means that if someone unlawfully enters your home, you have the right to use force to defend yourself and your property without the duty to retreat. The Stand Your Ground provision expands this concept beyond the home, allowing individuals to use force in self-defense without the duty to retreat in other places where they have a legal right to be, such as a public street or park.

It is important to note that the use of force must be justified in order for these laws to apply. In Texas, the use of force is justified when a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect themselves from the use or attempted use of unlawful force by another. This can include the use of deadly force if the person reasonably believes it is necessary to protect themselves from imminent death or serious bodily injury.

However, it is also important to understand that these laws do not provide blanket immunity from prosecution or civil liability. The use of force must still be justified and proportional to the threat, and a person can still be held criminally or civilly liable if the use of force is found to be unjustified or excessive.

Overall, Stand Your Ground laws are intended to provide individuals with legal protections when using force in self-defense. However, it is important to understand the limitations and requirements of these laws, and to seek legal counsel if facing a situation where the use of force may be necessary.

In legal terms, an alibi is a defense strategy used in criminal trials where the defendant asserts that they were elsewhere and therefore could not have committed the crime in question. The alibi defense essentially seeks to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury by providing evidence or testimony that proves the defendant was not at the scene of the crime at the time it was committed.

To establish this defense strategy, the defendant typically needs to provide evidence such as witnesses, documentation, or other records that place them at a different location at the time of the crime. This evidence must be strong enough to convince the jury that it is more likely that the defendant was elsewhere than at the scene of the crime.

It is important to note that an alibi defense is not always successful, as the prosecution may attempt to discredit the evidence presented or provide their own evidence that contradicts the alibi. Additionally, the defendant must typically disclose their alibi defense to the prosecution prior to trial in order to give the prosecution an opportunity to investigate and challenge the defense.

Overall, an alibi defense is a strategy used in criminal trials where the defendant asserts that they were elsewhere at the time the crime was committed and therefore could not have committed the crime. It is a common defense strategy in criminal trials, but its success depends on the strength of the evidence presented and the ability to convince the jury of the defendant’s innocence.

The lawyers at Gunter, Bennett and Anthes are well versed
in violent offenses and are poised to help you

At Gunter, Bennett and Anthes, phone calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Criminal defense is never a nine-to-five job; we’re here when you need us.

Chris Gunter - Austin Defense Attorney

Christopher M. Gunter

Attorney at Law, Austin, TX

Alan Bennett – Attorney at Law, Austin, TX

Alan Bennett

Attorney at Law, Austin, TX

Gene Anthes – Attorney at Law, Austin, TX

Gene Anthes

Attorney at Law, Austin, TX

Thomas Just - Attorney at Law, Austin, TX

Thomas Just

Attorney at Law, Austin, TX

Gary Cohen - Dedicated Texas Parole Representation

Gary Cohen

Dedicated Texas Parole Representation

Camilla Banda

Paralegal, Austin, TX

Sheliah Cromeans

Paralegal, Austin, TX

Awards & Associations

Respected by Peers, Clients and Legal Organizations

Our Client Reviews

“Gene was referred to me by a friend and I must say, I couldn’t be happier. Gene was very professional, exceptionally responsive and made me feel at ease with everything. He took the time to explain my options and was communicative every step of the way. He was always available for any questions along the way. Highly recommend.”

Lee G.

“Chris Gunter is a fine family attorney. I had the pleasure of interacting recently with his partner Gene Anthes. Gene was extremely kind, helpful and quick to respond to my needs. Thanks to everyone associated with this firm.”

Hannan S.

“Gene is the best!!! He was my attorney for a case I had in 2015. He got everything settled, and still to this day assists me with any questions or legal matters regarding that same case. He always responds to emails and phone calls quickly. It truly feels like once you hire Gene he will help you for life. Rough situation that has been much more bearable with Gene and the whole firm at GBA. Thanks!!!”

Zach A.