Attorney Brady L. Pendleton has the skills and drive to obtain your legal goals.
Manslaughter Defense Lawyer in Stephenville, TX
Thousands of Cases Handled. One-on-One Defense for Manslaughter Charges in Erath & Eastland County.
A manslaughter charge is one of the most serious felony accusations a person can face in Texas. If you or someone you care about has been charged in Stephenville or the surrounding area, the decisions made in the coming days matter. At Law Offices of Brady L. Pendleton, we represent clients facing manslaughter charges throughout Erath and Eastland Counties and bring a hands-on, one-on-one approach to every case we handle.
Don’t wait to get answers. Call Law Offices of Brady L. Pendleton at (888) 246-6869 to schedule your free consultation and speak directly with a criminal defense attorney about your manslaughter charge.
A Defense Firm That Works With You Directly
We’ve handled thousands of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and we understand that no two situations are alike. When you work with our firm, you work with us directly. We respond promptly when you call, explain each step in plain language, and build a strategy around the specific facts of your case rather than a generic playbook.
Pretrial motion practice is a meaningful part of how we defend clients. When law enforcement oversteps, we file motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence. We’ve used that approach across criminal cases to protect our clients’ rights before a case ever reaches trial. Our track record includes not-guilty verdicts, case dismissals, and reduced charges in difficult circumstances.
What Texas Law Says About Manslaughter
Under Texas Penal Code Section 19.04, manslaughter means recklessly causing the death of another person. Recklessness is a specific legal standard: it means the person consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death would result. That conscious disregard is what separates manslaughter from criminally negligent homicide, a state jail felony that involves failing to perceive a risk rather than knowingly ignoring one.
Manslaughter also differs from murder, which requires that a person acted with intent or knowledge that their conduct would cause death. The distinction between these charges carries real consequences for sentencing.
Standard manslaughter is punished as a second-degree felony, carrying two to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A 2023 amendment elevated the charge to a first-degree felony when the death resulted from conduct that also constitutes damaging a critical infrastructure facility under Penal Code Section 28.09, which carries five to ninety-nine years or life in prison.
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Personalized & Strategic Legal Advocacy
Passionate About Helping People
Read What Past Clients Had to Say
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“Went above and beyond to help me”
“Answered all my questions.”- Sabrina -
“Very Passionate About His Work”
“he is very passionate about his work and others, very professional but also down to earth and treats you like a human being.”- Marlinna -
“He really went the extra mile to help.”
Brady was very reassuring every step of the way. He filed a motion to suppress, which was denied but allowed the judge to review some video. Brady was also able to get the charge reduced from a class A misdemeanor to a class B misdemeanor. He really went the extra mile to help. Very professional. Anyone living in The Stephenville area, and need a great attorney, need not shop around. Go with Brady.- David -
“Super thankful I hired Brady as my attorney”
“I recommend him for representation”- Heather -
“Brady makes sure any discrepancies are addressed and taken care of”
“Was very professional in handling my issues”- Cameron -
“Awesome attorney, and an awesome person as well.”
“He really cares about his clients and takes time to listen to any questions or concerns you might have and answer them honestly.”- Carolyn -
“I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for me”
“I will definitely use them again if I ever need to”- Chaidan -
“By the way, he talked and listened to me. It felt honestly like I was talking to a friend.”
“By the way, he talked and listened to me. It felt honestly like I was talking to a friend.”- Lucky
Building a Defense Against a Manslaughter Charge
The prosecution must prove recklessness beyond a reasonable doubt, and that burden creates real opportunities for the defense. We examine whether the evidence actually supports the recklessness standard or whether the facts point instead to a tragic accident. Self-defense is also available in some manslaughter cases, depending on how the incident occurred. In others, the more accurate charge may be criminally negligent homicide, and we work to present that distinction to the prosecution and, if necessary, to a jury.
Sentencing exposure is another area where the law has specific limits worth understanding:
- Probation limitations by sentence length: Texas courts can’t recommend a suspended sentence of probation if the sentence exceeds 10 years.
- Deadly weapon findings: If a deadly weapon was used or exhibited during the offense or the immediate flight from it, probation isn’t available regardless of sentence length.
- Charge negotiations: In some circumstances, a manslaughter charge may be negotiated to a lesser offense such as criminally negligent homicide, which carries significantly lower penalties.
Felony Court Process in Erath & Eastland County
In Texas, felony charges like manslaughter are typically initiated through a grand jury indictment filed by the district or county attorney. Knowing which court handles your case is an important early detail.
In Erath County, felony criminal matters are heard by the 266th Judicial District Court. In Eastland County, felony prosecutions fall under the 91st Judicial District Court. We serve clients in both counties and are familiar with how felony cases move through each court, from the initial charge through indictment and into trial or resolution.
Free Consultation for Manslaughter Charges in Stephenville, Texas
We offer a free initial consultation to anyone facing a manslaughter charge in the Stephenville area. We can also assist clients who need Spanish-speaking representation. This is your opportunity to get clear answers about what you’re facing and what options may be available to you.
Call Law Offices of Brady L. Pendleton today at (888) 246-6869 to schedule your free consultation. We’re ready to listen and ready to help.
