Attempted Murder Defense
Houston Attempted Murder Lawyers :: The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp
With the exception of homicide, attempted murder is one of the most serious crimes that a person can be charged with. The punishments for this crime are quite severe in Texas, and they can change a person’s life significantly. As such, it is essential for a person who is facing this charge to seek help from an experienced attempted murder attorney immediately.
What is Considered Attempted Murder?
When a person intentionally and willfully causes any kind of physical harm to others with the intention of ending their lives, it is classified as attempted murder. It is also considered attempted murder if a suspect harms others due to reckless acts that show his blatant disregard for the lives of human beings.
Possible Punishments for Attempted Murder
While actual murder is a first-degree felony, attempted murder is classified as a second-degree felony. However, attempted murder is still considered a serious charge and can pose severe penalties. Some of the most common punishments associated with attempted murder charges are as follows:
- Up to 20 years in prison
- Fines up to $10,000
- Creation of a criminal record
It is essential to note that if people are charged with other felonies in addition to attempted murder charges, their penalties will be even more severe than those listed above. There are also various circumstances that can increase the number of years that defendants may have to spend in prison.
Possible Legal Defenses for Attempted Murder
For people to be charged with attempted murder in Texas, it must be proven that they intended to commit murder when they harmed their victims. In many cases, this can be quite difficult. Experienced attempted murder lawyers can use this fact to help their clients in criminal trials and have their charges reduced or even dropped altogether.
There is a fine line between attempted murder and aggravated assault. In fact, if it cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant had intentions to kill his victims, then his charges can be reduced to simple assault or aggravated assault. This is the preferred outcome because the penalties for assault tend to be much less severe than the penalties for attempted murder.
Consult With an Attempted Murder Attorney
When you are faced with attempted murder accusations, it is never a good idea to handle your case by yourself. The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp can help people fight their charges and obtain the best possible outcomes. Get in touch with Matthew Sharp today to schedule a free consultation.