CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE
Criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony in the State of Texas. A person commits criminally negligent homicide when the person cause the death of another by criminal negligence. Under Texas law, a person acts with criminal negligence, with respect to circumstances surrounding the person’s conduct or result of the conduct, when the person should be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the circumstances exist, or the result will occur. For criminally negligent homicide, the risk must be of such nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the person committing the offense’s standpoint.
Texas Punishment Range
The following are the general punishment ranges for criminal cases in the State of Texas. The minimum punishment range may be increased for certain offenses depending on the circumstances in the case, whether the offense was near a school, or the person’s criminal history.
-Misdemeanors
Class | Possible Jail Time | Possible Fine |
Class C Misdemeanor | None | No more than $500.00 |
Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180 days in county jail | No more than $2,000.00 |
Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in county jail | No more than $4,000.00 |
-Felonies
Class | Possible Jail/Prison Time | Possible Fine |
State-Jail Felony | 180 days to 2 years in state jail | No more than $10,000.00 |
3rd Degree Felony | 2 to 10 years in prison | No more than $10,000.00 |
2nd Degree Felony | 2 to 20 years in prison | No more than $10,000.00 |
1st Degree Felony | 5 to 99 years or life in prison | No more than $10,000.00 |
Capital Felony | Life in prison | None |
Capital Felony | Death or life in prison without parole | None |