Murder Lawyer in Waco

Defending Serious Charges in Waco: Your Next Steps Start Here

If you or someone you care about faces a murder charge in Waco, you have critical choices ahead. Selecting the right murder defense attorney can make a lasting difference in your life and your future. At Milam & Fanning, PLLC, we combine the personalized attention you expect from a boutique practice with the robust resources and reputation found at larger firms.

Murder allegations in Texas carry severe consequences, and law enforcement in Waco moves quickly in these cases. The legal process can progress at a fast pace, which makes early, informed action vital. Knowing how McLennan County courts operate and what to prepare for can reduce confusion as you consider your options. We make sure you have the information and perspective needed to move forward with confidence.

The time to challenge the State's case is now. Contact Milam & Fanning, PLLC online or call (254) 237-5602 right away for a confidential case review, and let our firm put our affordable services and free consultations to work defending you against this serious murder charge.

Understanding Murder Laws in Texas

In Texas, the crime of murder is defined under Texas Penal Code Section 19.02. It is part of the larger category of Criminal Homicide, which also includes Manslaughter and Criminally Negligent Homicide. The specific definition of murder in the statute outlines three distinct ways the offense can be committed.

A person commits murder if they do one of the following:

• Intentionally or Knowingly Causes Death: This is the most straightforward definition, where the person acts with the conscious objective or desire to cause the death of an individual, or is aware that their conduct is reasonably certain to cause the death of an individual.
• Intent to Cause Serious Bodily Injury with a Dangerous Act: This involves a person intending to cause serious bodily injury and then committing an act clearly dangerous to human life that ultimately causes the death of an individual. The focus here is on the intent to seriously hurt the victim, even if the specific intent to kill is absent.
• Felony Murder Rule: This applies if a person commits or attempts to commit a felony (other than manslaughter), and in the course of that act, they commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual. The intent to kill is not required under this provision; the intent to commit the underlying felony is sufficient. This is a critical distinction that requires a highly knowledgeable murder attorney in Waco to navigate.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Murder Convictions in Texas

A conviction for murder in Texas is devastating. It results in some of the most severe penalties available under the law, impacting every facet of a person's life and the lives of their family.

Direct Penalties

Unless the defendant successfully proves the mitigating factor of "sudden passion" (discussed below), murder is typically classified as a First-Degree Felony in Texas, carrying the following punishment range:

• Incarceration: A prison sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years, or life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
• Fines: A fine of up to $10,000.

The Mitigating Defense of Sudden Passion

If the defense proves that the defendant caused the death under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause, the offense can be reduced to a Second-Degree Felony for punishment purposes. This is a critical reduction that can only be proven at the punishment stage of trial. 

A Second-Degree Felony carries a much lesser punishment of 2 to 20 years in prison. We meticulously prepare to raise this defense where the facts support that provocation was sufficient to produce a degree of anger, rage, or terror that renders the mind incapable of cool reflection.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond the direct criminal penalties, a conviction for murder in Waco carries crippling, lifelong collateral consequences:

• Civil and Financial Ruin: Liability in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the victim's family, leading to severe financial judgments.
• Loss of Civil Rights: Permanent loss of the right to own firearms and the loss of voting rights while incarcerated.
• Employment and Licensing: Professional licenses (medical, legal, teaching, etc.) will be revoked. A felony conviction makes securing any meaningful employment nearly impossible upon release.
• Immigration Status: For non-citizens, a murder conviction is an aggravated felony that results in mandatory deportation proceedings.

Our firm fully advises clients on both the immediate criminal penalties and the long-term, devastating effects of a murder conviction. This is a battle for your life, and securing a powerful murder attorney in Waco is essential.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Murder Defense

At Milam & Fanning, PLLC, we are renowned for our comprehensive, strategic, and often unconventional approach to defending serious felony charges. As a preeminent Waco murder defense lawyer team, our methodology is built on a deep understanding of Texas criminal law and a commitment to meticulous preparation.

We develop a defense strategy tailored to the specific facts of your case, focusing on:

Challenging the State's Evidence

We dissect every piece of evidence the prosecution plans to use:

• Forensic Science Review: Our firm works with independent pathologists, ballistics experts, and DNA analysts to re-examine or re-test key evidence, often revealing flaws in the State's testing or conclusions.
• Witness Credibility: We vigorously investigate the backgrounds and motives of all State witnesses, looking for inconsistencies, biases, or coercive interview tactics used by law enforcement.
• The Fourth and Fifth Amendments: We file motions to suppress evidence resulting from illegal searches or seizures (Fourth Amendment violations) and challenge statements obtained in violation of the client's Miranda rights (Fifth Amendment violations).

Deploying Affirmative Defenses

Where the facts permit, we raise affirmative defenses that justify or excuse the client's actions, such as:

• Self-Defense/Defense of Others: We assert that the client used force, including deadly force, only when they reasonably believed it was immediately necessary to protect themselves or a third person from the victim’s unlawful deadly force. Texas law provides robust protections for self-defense, and we are skilled at presenting this complex legal defense to a jury.
• Accident/Mistake of Fact: We may argue that the death was a tragic accident or that the client was operating under a genuine mistake of fact that negates the necessary culpable mental state (i.e., they did not have the specific intent required for a murder conviction).

Focusing on Lesser Included Offenses

Even when a full acquittal is difficult to achieve, our goal is to secure the best possible outcome. This involves ensuring the jury fully considers lesser included offenses like Manslaughter or Criminally Negligent Homicide. A conviction for a lesser charge can reduce a potential life sentence to a matter of years, which is a significant victory in the face of a murder indictment. We fight to have the jury instructed on every available lesser charge.

Why Work With Our Murder Attorneys in Waco

Clients trust our team because we unite the strengths of both small and large law firm approaches. We focus on solutions tailored to each client, pairing proven strategies with ongoing, individualized guidance throughout the process. 

Our reputation for effective representation, combined with transparent communication, helps our clients feel supported and well-informed—qualities essential when facing a charge this serious.

• Personalized legal strategies: Every case is unique, so we build a focused plan suited to your circumstances and priorities.
• Extensive legal knowledge: Our team understands the nuances of Texas homicide laws and the way cases move through local Waco courts.
• Clear communication: We keep you updated, listen to your needs, and explain all available options in straightforward language.
• Local perspective: We know McLennan County’s legal environment and how it can shape your defense.

We understand the urgency that comes with murder charges, especially in a community as connected as Waco. Our attorneys have earned a reputation among court staff and local legal professionals for their thorough preparation and care. 

We draw on decades of combined experience in Texas murder cases, using local insights to anticipate challenges and proactively address them. This foundation shapes a defense rooted in both state law and the realities of McLennan County courtrooms.

Next Steps After You Contact a Murder Criminal Defense Lawyer in Waco

When you reach out to our murder defense team, we start with a confidential conversation to understand your situation. From there, we outline practical next steps and explain how the legal process will unfold in McLennan County courts. 

Our goal is to help you feel informed and confident so you can make decisions with clarity. We walk you through every phase, from the first meeting to preparing your defense for trial or negotiation, should the need arise. You build a connection with your attorney that assures you someone is firmly in your corner.

Clients often worry about what happens immediately after hiring a murder lawyer. We walk you through how to gather helpful documents, what details to bring to meetings, and what happens during bond hearings and early court dates in the Waco area. Our team clarifies local McLennan County requirements, so you know what to expect and how to prepare for the process ahead.

Start Your Defense With a Team That Stands Beside You

If you or a loved one faces a murder charge in Waco, you deserve a caring legal team with real resources, regional knowledge, and personal commitment. Connect with Milam & Fanning, PLLC to start a confidential discussion about your case. We will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you each step of the way—so you can move forward with clarity and support.

Call (254) 237-5602 or reach out online today to take the next step with a dedicated murder defense team on your side.