Facing a homicide charge in San Antonio means your life changes in an instant. Police move quickly, evidence piles up, and every word you say matters. The stakes are high from the first moment, and the path forward depends on how your defense is built—detail by detail, fact by fact. Texas homicide laws are layered and unforgiving, but a focused defense can make the difference between freedom and decades behind bars. Our team has handled some of the most complex cases in San Antonio, giving us insight into local court procedures and expectations.

How We Tackle Homicide Charges in Texas Courts

When someone is accused of homicide, the charge isn’t always the same. Each case brings its own set of facts, and the law draws sharp lines between them. Our team looks at every charge with fresh eyes, knowing that the difference between capital murder and manslaughter isn’t just legal language. It’s years of your life. We break down the charges, challenge the prosecution’s story, and push for the outcome that fits the facts, not just the accusation.

• Capital Murder: Reserved for the most serious cases, often involving specific circumstances that raise the stakes to the highest level.
• First-Degree Murder: Applies when the prosecution claims intent and planning, but without the added factors of capital cases.
• Second-Degree Murder: Covers situations where harm was intended, but not premeditated.
• Manslaughter: Focuses on reckless actions that led to a death, even if there was no intent to kill.
• Criminally Negligent Homicide: Involves deaths that result from a clear disregard for safety, not from a plan or direct intent.

Every case in San Antonio’s courts is shaped by its own facts, the people involved, and the history behind the charge. We dig into the details, looking for the cracks in the prosecution’s case and the opportunities to shift the outcome.

What Sets Our Defense Approach Apart

With homicide cases, the law doesn’t just look at what happened. It asks why. We start by examining the prosecution’s claims about intent, motive, and state of mind. Did the situation unfold in a split second, or was there planning? Was someone acting in self-defense, or did emotions run high in the heat of the moment? These questions aren’t just legal points. They’re the heart of your defense.

• Intent Requirements: Prosecutors must show what was in your mind at the time, not just what happened.
• Self-Defense Claims: Texas law allows for self-protection, but the facts must support it.
• Heat of Passion: Sometimes, a sudden event changes everything, and the law recognizes that.
• Felony Murder Rule: If a death happens during another crime, the stakes rise fast.

We don’t just accept the police version of events. Every witness, every piece of evidence, and every step in the investigation gets a second look. If procedures were skipped or rights ignored, we bring it to light. Our experience in San Antonio’s courtrooms means we know where to look and what questions to ask.

Why Penalties Demand a Relentless Defense

Sentencing for homicide in Texas isn’t just about time served. It’s about the rest of your life. A conviction can mean decades in prison, massive fines, and a future that never recovers. The law draws hard lines, and the consequences don’t fade with time.

• Capital Murder: Life without parole or the death penalty. No second chances.
• First-Degree Murder Murder: Five to ninety-nine years in prison, plus heavy fines.
• Second-Degree Murder: Two to twenty years, with financial penalties that follow you long after release.
• Manslaughter: Two to twenty years, and the impact stretches far beyond the courtroom.

We make sure you understand what’s at stake. Not just the sentence, but the ripple effects on your family, your work, and your future. Our job is to fight for every possible advantage, from reduced charges to alternative outcomes. Clients in San Antonio often face unique challenges due to local sentencing trends and jury expectations, so we adjust our defense to address these factors.

How We Build a Defense That Holds Up

When the prosecution brings a homicide case, they rely on evidence, witnesses, and the story they want the jury to believe. We take that story apart, piece by piece. Forensic evidence gets challenged, witness statements are tested, and every timeline is checked for gaps. Our experience in San Antonio’s courts means we know how to spot weak points and use them to your advantage. We don’t leave anything to chance. Every detail matters, and every defense is built for the fight ahead.

Protect Your Future Now

Call us at 210-545-3850 or schedule a consultation to discuss your case with the Law Offices of Gary Churak today.