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Dallas/Fort Worth Murder Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing a homicide charge in the Dallas–Fort Worth region, there’s no time to wait when the prosecution is investigating, evidence is being gathered, and your freedom is on the line. You need an experienced murder defense attorney on your side — immediately.

At Sellers Law Firm, we understand the weight of a murder accusation and the stakes for your future. Whether you are dealing with charges under first-degree murder, capital murder, manslaughter, or related homicide offenses under Texas law, having a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side can mean the difference between decades in prison and a successful defense.

From day one, our team will listen to your story, launch a thorough investigation, and build a defense tailored to the facts of your case. Homicide charges carry some of the highest stakes in the Texas criminal justice system, and prosecutors approach them with intense focus and little room for error.

That’s why choosing the right murder defense attorney early is essential.

At Sellers Law Firm, we handle homicide cases in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with the level of dedication, experience, and aggressiveness your freedom merits. Call us today for a strong defense: (817) 928-4222.

No case is too complex for our legal team to handle and we are ready to investigate whatever is necessary to obtain evidence that can be used as leverage against the prosecution or law enforcement.

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What are the different types of murder in Texas?

Under Texas law, the chapter governing “Criminal Homicide” and murder (Texas Penal Code Chapter 19) lays out four principal categories of homicide: murder, capital murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide.

Murder

A person commits murder if they “intentionally or knowingly” cause the death of another individual, or intend to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that results in death.

This is generally charged as a first-degree felony (unless other factors apply) and is among the most serious offenses short of capital murder in the state.

Capital murder

Capital murder involves special circumstances that elevate a killing beyond regular murder. These include killing a peace officer or firefighter in the line of duty, murdering more than one person, murdering someone under 15 years old, murdering during the commission of another felony, such as robbery or kidnapping, or hiring someone to commit murder (remuneration).

Because of the severity, capital murder may carry life without parole or the death penalty.

Manslaughter

A person commits manslaughter if they recklessly cause the death of another individual, or by reason of intoxication, cause the death of another.

Unlike intentional murder, manslaughter involves reckless conduct rather than (necessarily) intent to kill.

Criminally negligent homicide

In this category, a person causes the death of another through criminal negligence. This offense is less serious than murder or manslaughter but still carries significant consequences.

Each of these categories carries its own legal threshold and associated penalties. The precise label used by prosecutors can dramatically impact your defense strategy — and the outcome. That’s why consulting a seasoned murder defense attorney is critical.

Caring, Compassionate, Competent 

“Frank Sellers protected my rights from the day I hired him. I was wrongfully investigated for a crime I never commit, and Frank was very effective in the defense during the process. He literally saved my career, my reputation, my life. He is the best attorney in Texas!”

Satisfied Client

What is the sentence for murder in Texas?

Here’s a comparison of the sentencing ranges under Texas law for the main homicide offenses:

Offense Category

Charge

Fines

Jail Time

Criminally Negligent Homicide

State jail felony

Up to $10,000

180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility

Manslaughter

Second-degree felony

Up to $10,000

2 to 20 years in prison

Murder

First-degree felony

Up to $10,000

5 to 99 years or life in prison

Capital Murder

Capital felony

None typically specified (penalty is incarceration-based)

Life without parole or death penalty

These sentencing ranges underscore how high the stakes are. A conviction for murder or capital murder can mean decades behind bars or worse. If you are under investigation or charged, every hour counts.

What is the best defense for murder?

There is no one-size-fits-all “best” defense, because the facts of each case vary widely. That said, skilled murder defense attorneys will evaluate the state’s case from multiple angles and pursue one or more viable defenses depending on the evidence, the charges, the conduct, and the actor’s intent.

At Sellers Law Firm, we focus early and aggressively on the following strategic defense possibilities:

1. Self-defense, defense of others or property

When the accused acted to protect themselves or another person, or in some cases property, from imminent harm, a claim of self-defense can be powerful. To raise it, your attorney must show that the force used was reasonable, the threat was imminent, and the actor believed the force was necessary.

This strategy often disputes the prosecution’s claim of intent or necessity.

2. Lack of intent or mistaken identity

In many murder cases, the prosecution must show intentional or knowing culpability (for Texas murder charges) or reckless conduct (for manslaughter). If the defense can show the actor did not intend to kill, or was mistaken as to identity, then the charge may be reduced or dismissed.

For example, demonstrating that the individual was not the shooter, or lacked intent, can force a plea to a lesser offense or an acquittal.

3. Violation of constitutional rights or improper investigation

Sometimes the prosecution’s case is weakened by violations of the defendant’s constitutional rights, such as unlawful search or seizure, improper interrogation, or chain-of-custody problems with evidence. If your rights were violated, key evidence can be suppressed and the state’s case may collapse.

4. Disputing the cause of death

In homicide prosecutions, the state must link the defendant’s act to the death of the victim. If the defense can cast doubt on causation (e.g., intervening cause or medical condition) or show that death happened under different circumstances, the case may be weakened significantly.

5. Negotiation or plea strategies

Not every case ends in trial. Skilled defense firms assess the risk, the evidence, the client’s history, and work toward the best result, whether by dismissal, plea deal, or mitigation of sentence. Serious homicide charges require not just a robust defense, but a cohesive strategy for resolution.

In short, the “best” defense depends entirely on the facts. The key is hiring a firm experienced in homicide litigation, investigation, witness interviews, forensic review, and courtroom advocacy — so your story gets told, your rights are protected, and you aren’t left behind in the system.

Facing Texas murder charges? Don’t wait. Call Sellers Law Firm.

For those accused of murder or related homicide in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, time is not your friend. The investigation begins early: evidence is collected, witnesses are interviewed, police present a narrative, and prosecutors build a case. You are often not just defending against an allegation. You are fighting a system that moves fast and counts on you being unprepared.

At Sellers Law Firm, the team is ready to step in immediately. We combine compassion with toughness. In addition to murder charges, we are equipped to handle both simple and aggravated assault charges in Tarrant County. From the moment you reach out, our goal is to ensure your defense gets priority, your voice is heard, and you are not simply overwhelmed by the system.

Don’t navigate this alone. Contact a murder defense attorney from Sellers Law Firm now at (817) 928-4222 or via our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Your freedom, reputation, and future are worth it.

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