This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Brian LaVine following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Brian LaVine the Founding Partner, 10+ years of legal experience as criminal defense attorney.
At LaVine Law Firm, our Galveston County murder defense lawyer fights for people facing the most serious criminal charges in the Texas legal system. Murder is among the most aggressively prosecuted offenses in the state. The Galveston County District Attorney's office moves fast on homicide cases, and the legal process begins the moment law enforcement arrives at the scene. Texas ranks among the top states in the U.S. for capital murder executions, which makes experienced legal defense non-negotiable. A capital murder conviction can result in the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
We are an aggressive criminal defense firm serving those facing murder and manslaughter charges in Galveston County. The earlier you bring a defense attorney into your case, the stronger the foundation for your defense. Every hour matters when your freedom and your life are on the line.
We defend clients charged with murder or homicide across Galveston County, including Galveston Island, League City, Texas City, Dickinson, and surrounding communities. Even the most serious criminal charges deserve a thorough, evidence-driven defense. A charge is not a verdict. We treat every client as innocent and build a case to prove it.
Our approach is direct: investigate aggressively, challenge the prosecution's narrative, and protect the client's constitutional rights at every stage. We handle all levels of homicide charges in Texas, including murder, capital murder, intoxication manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Our Galveston murder lawyers are available 24/7 for urgent consultations. Call us at 713-489-7734 to speak with a criminal defense lawyer who will fight for your future.
Not all homicide charges are equal under Texas law. The specific charge shapes the severity of penalties and the defense strategy we build. Understanding the difference between murder, capital murder, and manslaughter is the first step toward a smart, strategic criminal defense. Below, we break down each charge type.
Murder under Texas Penal Code Section 19.02 means intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person. Texas classifies this as a first-degree felony. It carries 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Second-degree murder applies when the defendant proves sudden passion, which reduces the penalty range to 2 to 20 years.
Capital murder under §19.03 adds aggravating factors that push the charge to the highest level in criminal law. These factors include killing a peace officer, murder during a kidnapping or robbery or sexual assault, killing a child under 10, murder for hire, and multiple victims in the same transaction. Capital felonies carry the death penalty or life without parole. The specific facts of the case, the relationships involved, the circumstances, and the defendant's intent, determine which charge the assistant district attorney files.
We scrutinize every detail of how charges were filed. Prosecutors sometimes overcharge to gain leverage in plea negotiations. We identify overcharging and fight to bring the charges in line with the actual evidence.
Texas handles lesser homicide classifications based on the defendant's mental state at the time of the killing. These charges carry lower penalties than murder but still result in serious prison time.
Charge reduction is a powerful defense strategy. When the facts support it, we push to reduce murder charges to manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide. This can drop the penalty range from life in prison to as few as 180 days. Understanding the specific charge is the starting point for building any defense.
We follow a step-by-step defense philosophy when handling a murder case in Galveston County. Our legal strategy covers every stage of the criminal case:
Galveston County juries and courts have specific patterns that an experienced local defense team understands. The same judges and prosecutors handle a larger share of the docket in this smaller court system. That makes local knowledge essential. We pursue every available path, from pretrial dismissal to acquittal at trial, and we never settle for less than the best possible outcome.
Texas law provides several legitimate defenses to homicide charges. The right defense depends on the specific facts of your case. We evaluate every option before choosing the approach that gives you the strongest chance. Below, we explain the most common defense strategies we use.
Texas provides broad self-defense protections under Penal Code §§9.31–9.32. A person has the right to use deadly force if they had a reasonable belief it was needed to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm. This is a complete defense. If the jury accepts it, the result is full acquittal.
The Castle Doctrine adds even more protection. Texas law presumes a person acted in a reasonable way when they used deadly force against an intruder in their home, vehicle, or workplace. There is no duty to retreat. Texas does not require a person to back away before using deadly force in any place they have a right to be. This "Stand Your Ground" principle applies in public spaces as well.
A successful self-defense claim requires evidence of the threat, witness testimony, and a strong courtroom narrative. We build self-defense arguments backed by forensic evidence, expert testimony, and a clear timeline of events. Our violent crime lawyers have raised this defense in murder cases across Galveston County and Harris County with proven results.
The prosecution's evidence is only as strong as its weakest link. We target those weak links in every murder case we defend:
We leave no part of the state's case unchallenged. Every piece of evidence gets tested. Our courtroom mastery and scientific expertise in evaluating forensic evidence give our clients a real advantage at trial.
When a client's life and freedom are on the line, experience and preparation are everything. We bring both to every murder defense case in Galveston County.
Proven Legal Successes:
Our criminal defense firm has secured over 700 cases dismissed across all practice areas. We have earned not guilty verdicts in murder trials, including a case where the client was accused of killing a rival gang member. Our track record in aggravated assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes cases adds depth to our defense experience. Super Lawyers and peer-nominated legal organizations recognize our Texas criminal defense lawyer team.
Local Knowledge and Family's Legacy:
We know the Galveston County courts, judges, and prosecution tactics. That knowledge shapes every defense strategy we build. Our family's legacy in criminal law drives our commitment to every client. We also bring deep experience from Harris County, Montgomery County, and Nueces County courtrooms. County criminal defense requires understanding how each jurisdiction operates, and we have that knowledge across Southeast Texas.
Accessible Legal Representation:
We offer free consultations with no financial barrier to getting urgent legal guidance. Flexible payment plans make serious defense accessible to everyone. Our law offices provide direct attorney communication, not just contact with staff. We are available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. We also handle related criminal defense services, including sex crimes, sexual assault, sex offender registration, drug possession, drug crimes, controlled substances charges, DWI assault, theft crimes, juvenile crimes, white-collar crimes, immigration crimes, firearms and weapons charges, intoxication assault, driving under the influence, and expungements. Our smart, strategic criminal defense covers every area of Texas criminal law.
Murder means intentionally causing death. Capital murder adds aggravating factors, like killing an officer or a child, and carries the death penalty or life without parole:
- Murder (Section 19.02): first-degree felony, 5 to 99 years or life in prison
- Capital Murder (§19.03): capital felony, death or life without parole
- The aggravating factors that trigger capital murder are listed in the Texas Penal Code
Yes. If evidence supports a "sudden passion" defense, Texas law allows murder to be reduced to a second-degree felony at sentencing. This drops the penalty range from life in prison to 2 to 20 years. We pursue charge reduction in every case where the facts support it. The assistant district attorney may also negotiate a plea deal to a lesser charge when the evidence is weak.
Contact LaVine Law Firm right away. Do not speak to police officers or investigators without a criminal defense attorney present:
Exercise your right to remain silent
Do not consent to searches of your home, vehicle, or phone
Do not discuss the matter with anyone except your attorney
Early intervention during the investigation phase can prevent charges from being filed
Texas law presumes deadly force was justified when used against an intruder at home, in your vehicle, or at your workplace. This can form the basis of a complete self-defense acquittal. The prosecution must disprove the self-defense claim beyond a reasonable doubt. We build Castle Doctrine defenses backed by forensic evidence and expert testimony.
Yes. If evidence was obtained in violation of the law, witnesses are unreliable, or probable cause was lacking, a skilled criminal defense lawyer can seek pretrial dismissal. We file motions to suppress evidence and challenge the state's case at bail hearings and pretrial proceedings. Dismissal before trial is always our first goal.
Yes. We defend clients facing all levels of homicide charges, including capital murder, throughout Galveston County and surrounding areas. Capital cases require the highest level of preparation, and we bring that to every case. We also serve clients in Harris County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, and across Southeast Texas.
When you or a loved one faces murder charges in Galveston County, every hour matters. The prosecution begins building its case at the crime scene. The defense must start just as early to protect your rights and your future. Do not wait to get legal representation.
Call LaVine Law Firm at 713-489-7734 for a free, confidential case evaluation. We are available 24/7, nights, weekends, and holidays. We offer flexible, affordable payment plans so serious defense is accessible to everyone. Our proven results in violent crime defense across Galveston County speak for themselves. We serve clients on Galveston Island, in League City, Texas City, Dickinson, and every community across Galveston County. When your freedom and your life are on the line, Better Call Brian.
Free confidential consultations
Aggressive representation
Affordable payment plans
Highly rated
Track record of results
