El Paso Homicide Defense Lawyers Protecting Your Rights At Every Stage
Last updated on June 12, 2026
A homicide accusation can change your life in a single day. Police, prosecutors and the public may rush to judgment, but a charge is not a conviction. You still have rights, and you still have the presumption of innocence. You need a defense lawyer who will act quickly, test the state’s evidence and start building your defense right away.
Chapter 19 of the Texas Penal Code covers criminal homicide offenses. In general, a person may face a criminal homicide charge when the state alleges that person caused another individual’s death intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or through criminal negligence. Texas law groups these offenses into four main categories: murder, capital murder, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
A homicide case can turn on witness credibility, forensic evidence, digital records, statements to police and the exact mental state the prosecution tries to prove. Those details matter, and so does choosing the right defense team.
Why Clients Trust Valenzuela Law Firm With High-Stakes Homicide Cases
When you face allegations this serious, you need more than a lawyer with courtroom experience. You need a defense team that knows how to handle pressure, manage complex evidence and protect you when everything is on the line.
Valenzuela Law Firm brings more than 15 years of experience to serious criminal defense matters. Our team has worked on high-profile federal cases that drew national media attention, including the Walmart shooting case. Our work in major, high-stakes cases also led to our team appearing on an episode of the A&E true crime documentary series “Accused: Guilty or Innocent?”
Our attorneys have also earned recognition through honors such as Super Lawyers listings and an Avvo rating of 10.0. Just as important, we know that many homicide cases involve complicated facts, technical evidence and intense public scrutiny. We stay focused on the law, the evidence and the strategy needed to protect your future.
Read an example of how we won a not guilty verdict in a case involving two brothers accused of murder in a fatal shooting, as reported by the El Paso Times.
Murder Charges Under Texas Law
Texas Penal Code Section 19.02 defines murder in several ways. A person can face a murder charge if prosecutors claim that the person:
- Intentionally caused another person’s death
- Knowingly caused another person’s death
- Intended to cause serious bodily injury and committed an act clearly dangerous to human life that caused death
- Caused a death while committing or attempting to commit a felony other than manslaughter, which Texas law often treats as felony murder
Murder is usually a first-degree felony in Texas. That means the penalties can be severe, but a charge alone does not tell the whole story. The prosecution still has to prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. In many cases, the defense may challenge intent, causation, witness reliability, forensic conclusions or the accused’s commission of the alleged act.
Capital Murder Charges In Texas
Capital murder is the most serious homicide offense under Texas law. Section 19.03 applies when prosecutors allege a murder happened under certain aggravating circumstances. Examples can include the alleged murder of a peace officer or firefighter in the lawful discharge of duty, murder during certain other felonies, murder for remuneration, or multiple murders arising out of the same criminal transaction or different transactions under a common scheme.
A capital murder conviction can bring the harshest penalties available under Texas law. Because the consequences are so extreme, these cases demand immediate, aggressive and highly detailed defense work. The defense may need to challenge the alleged aggravating factor itself, attack weak forensic links, examine digital evidence and expose gaps in the prosecution’s timeline.
Manslaughter Charges In Texas
Texas Penal Code Section 19.04 defines manslaughter as recklessly causing the death of an individual. In plain terms, prosecutors do not need to prove a person intended to kill. Instead, they try to show:
- The accused acted recklessly.
- The conduct caused another person’s death.
Recklessness is a different mental state from intent or knowledge, and it can become a major point of dispute in the case. A strong defense may focus on what actually happened, whether the conduct was truly reckless and whether another cause led to the death. Manslaughter is still a very serious felony, and it can carry years in prison if a conviction occurs.
Criminally Negligent Homicide Charges In Texas
Texas Penal Code Section 19.05 covers criminally negligent homicide. Prosecutors may file this charge when they believe a person caused someone else’s death through criminal negligence. Although it is generally the lowest level homicide offense in Chapter 19, it can still bring serious consequences.
Criminal negligence is not the same as a simple mistake or ordinary carelessness. Prosecutors must prove more than poor judgment. They must show conduct that meets the legal standard for criminal negligence and that this conduct caused the death. These cases often require close attention to facts, expert opinions and the difference between a tragic accident and a criminal act.
Start Building Your Defense Now
Homicide cases move fast, and early decisions can shape the entire outcome. What you say to investigators, whether you agree to interviews and how quickly you involve a defense attorney can all matter.
Valenzuela Law Firm stands ready to protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s case and guide you through every stage of the process. If you or a loved one faces murder, capital murder, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide charges in Texas, call 915-292-3173 or send an email today to speak with an experienced defense lawyer.