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Houston Intoxication Manslaughter Lawyer

If you live in the Houston, Texas, area and are facing criminal felony charges, you need an intoxication manslaughter lawyer who will give you the best representation possible. 

The experienced, trial-tested team of Houston criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of David A. Breston is exactly who you or your loved one need by your side. It is essential to preserve any critical evidence immediately to best defend your legal rights when we are discussing your case. 

Here is what else you need to know about intoxication manslaughter in Houston and the best defense strategies for you and your future.

Defining the Types of Intoxication Crimes in Texas

It is important to first understand the different intoxication charges in the legal system, which include intoxication manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, and intoxication assault. 

Intoxication Manslaughter

Intoxication manslaughter, or DWI, according to the Texas Penal Code, is when an intoxicated driver (under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash) causes the death of another person while driving a vehicle.

Intoxication Assault

This charge is when someone is driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causes another person serious bodily injury on the road.

Vehicular Manslaughter

When a person causes the death of another person because of reckless or negligent driving, the charge is vehicular manslaughter. The driver, however, was not intoxicated at the time of the car accident.

What are the Legal Defense Strategies for Intoxication Manslaughter Charges?

No matter the details of the intoxication manslaughter case, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, innocent until proven guilty, caused death because of intoxicated driving and should be charged with intoxication manslaughter. 

Three fundamental ways to counter the prosecutor’s argument are to:

Disprove You Were Intoxicated Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

An expert Houston intoxication manslaughter lawyer in criminal defense will disprove that there was intoxication at the time of the accident beyond a reasonable doubt. This can be done by sifting through the evidence of breath and blood tests and footage from field sobriety tests

Disprove Intoxication Was the Cause of the Motor Vehicle Accident Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Your Houston intoxication manslaughter attorney can dive into why the cause is not because of intoxication, but actually from bad road conditions, the other driver’s actions, or a car defect. The best dwi attorney in Houston could also argue the accident happened because of self-defense or in a moment of passion or temporary insanity.

Prove That Your Legal Rights Were Violated at the Scene of the Vehicle Accident

Police officers must abide by the Fourth Amendment that protects against unreasonable search and seizures and the Fifth Amendment that protects your Miranda Rights, or your right to remain silent. 

Penalties for Intoxication Manslaughter in Houston, Texas

  • Felony Charge: Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony in Texas.
  • Prison Sentence: If convicted, the offender faces 2 to 20 years in a state prison.
  • Fines: The court may impose a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Driver’s License Suspension: A conviction will result in an automatic suspension of the offender’s driver’s license for 180 days to 2 years.
  • Community Service: The court may require the offender to complete community service hours, often related to education about the dangers of drunk driving.
  • Ignition Interlock Device: If the offender is granted probation, they may be required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle, which prevents the car from starting if alcohol is detected on their breath.
  • Probation: In some cases, the offender may be placed on probation instead of serving jail time, but this is subject to strict conditions, such as regular check-ins, drug/alcohol testing, and avoiding further legal trouble.

David A. Breston is Your Intoxication Manslaughter Lawyer

If you or your loved one has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in the Houston area, contact and consult with one of our Houston intoxication manslaughter attorneys at the Law Office of David A. Breston. We have successfully defended more than 4,000 clients, and we know we can do the same for you.

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