Murder

Murder Attorney in San Antonio

Attorney Lara Personally Defends Murder Charges in Bexar County

A murder charge carries the most severe consequences Texas law allows, from decades in prison to the death penalty in capital cases. At The Law Office of Guillermo Lara Jr., we defend clients facing murder and homicide charges throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. Attorney Guillermo Lara Jr. personally handles every case. No junior staff, no handoffs.

Our case results include a first-degree murder dismissal on the day of trial. That outcome reflects the preparation and direct attorney involvement we bring to every serious felony case. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they do tell you what this firm is built to handle.

If you or a family member has been charged with murder, contact us now for a free, confidential consultation. We’re available around the clock at (210) 787-2842.

Texas Homicide Charges: What Each One Means

Texas law defines several distinct homicide offenses, and the charge determines the sentencing exposure. Understanding the difference is the first step in understanding what the defense must address.

Murder (Section 19.02)
Intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person, or causing a death while committing a felony, is murder under Texas Penal Code Section 19.02. It’s a first-degree felony carrying 5 to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Capital Murder (Section 19.03)
When an intentional killing involves an aggravating factor, such as the victim being a peace officer or a child under 15, or the killing occurring during a robbery or kidnapping, the charge escalates to capital murder. It’s a capital felony, punishable by death or life without the possibility of parole.

Manslaughter (Section 19.04)
Recklessly causing someone’s death is manslaughter, a second-degree felony carrying 2 to 20 years. The distinction between recklessness and intent is often central to the defense.

Criminally Negligent Homicide (Section 19.05)
A state jail felony carrying 180 days to 2 years, criminally negligent homicide applies when a death results from a criminal failure to perceive a substantial risk. Arguing for this lesser charge instead of murder can make a decisive difference in sentencing.

One additional consideration: at the punishment stage of a murder trial, a defendant may raise sudden passion arising from adequate cause. If proven by a preponderance of the evidence, the offense is reduced from a first-degree to a second-degree felony, cutting both the floor and ceiling of the sentencing range.

Why San Antonio Families Choose The Law Office of Guillermo Lara Jr. for Murder Defense

When the charge is this serious, how your attorney manages your case from day one affects what options remain later. Attorney Lara takes a proactive approach from the start: identifying potential witnesses, contacting the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office early, and building a factual record before the prosecution can lock in its narrative.

His background sets this work apart in concrete ways. Before founding The Law Office of Guillermo Lara Jr., Attorney Lara worked as a public defender, gaining direct courtroom experience on serious felony cases. His analytical experience in DNA research informs how we evaluate physical and forensic evidence, which is often the backbone of a murder prosecution.

Flat fee structure: Everything is agreed to in writing upfront. Our billing approach doesn’t reward prolonging a case.
24/7 availability: Murder cases don’t follow business hours. We’re reachable nights, weekends, and holidays.
Direct client relationship: You work with Attorney Lara from the first call through resolution, not a rotating cast of staff.
Spanish-speaking services: We serve clients throughout San Antonio and Bexar County in both English and Spanish.

Defense Strategies in Texas Murder Cases

No two murder cases are built on the same facts, and the defense strategy has to match the specific evidence, the specific charge, and the specific weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Several recognized approaches apply in Texas courts.

Self-Defense & Stand Your Ground

Texas law permits the use of deadly force when a person reasonably believes it’s necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury. Under the Stand Your Ground doctrine, a person who is in a place where they have a legal right to be, hasn’t provoked the confrontation, and isn’t engaged in criminal activity has no duty to retreat. When the facts support it, this defense may defeat the charge.

Sudden Passion at Sentencing

Even after a guilty verdict, the defense isn’t over. Raising sudden passion arising from adequate cause at the punishment stage can reduce a first-degree felony to a second-degree, lowering the maximum sentence from 99 years to 20. The burden is on the defense, but the impact on sentencing can be significant.

Challenging the Evidence

Physical evidence in murder cases is vulnerable at multiple points: collection, handling, lab analysis, and expert interpretation. Pretrial suppression motions can exclude evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights. Chain of custody challenges can undermine the prosecution’s physical evidence. Independent forensic review can counter prosecution expert testimony with competing analysis. Eyewitness identification, historically unreliable, can be scrutinized through cross-examination and expert challenge.

Lesser Included Offenses

Where intent is genuinely disputed, arguing for a lesser included offense such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide is a viable strategy. The sentencing difference between first-degree murder and criminally negligent homicide is measured in decades. Other recognized defenses in Texas include insanity, intoxication, and mistaken identity. The right approach depends entirely on the facts of the case.

The Bexar County Murder Defense Process

Knowing what to expect at each stage helps clients and families make better decisions under pressure. Here’s how a murder case typically moves through Bexar County courts.

After arrest, the defendant appears before a magistrate for a bail determination. In capital murder cases, the court may hold the defendant without bail. The case then proceeds to arraignment, where the formal charge is read and a plea is entered. This is an early opportunity for the defense to begin establishing its position.

Pretrial hearings follow, and this phase is where strategic defense work often affects outcomes. Suppression motions can eliminate illegally obtained evidence. Witness lists can be challenged. Negotiations with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office may produce a plea arrangement that avoids trial entirely. Attorney Lara approaches this stage aggressively, not passively.

If the case goes to trial, the process includes jury selection, opening statements, evidence presentation, witness examination and cross-examination, and closing arguments before the jury deliberates on a verdict. If the verdict is guilty, the sentencing phase follows, and the defense has another opportunity to present mitigating facts.

Retaining an attorney before any statements are made to investigators is critical. What you say, or don’t say, in the hours after an arrest affects every stage that follows.

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A Proven Record in Serious Criminal Defense

Our track record in Bexar County courts spans thousands of state and federal criminal cases. The most significant result in a murder context is a first-degree murder dismissal on the day of trial, an outcome that reflects what thorough preparation and sustained attorney engagement can accomplish. Past outcomes don’t predict future results, but they demonstrate what Attorney Lara is prepared to fight for. Before founding The Law Office of Guillermo Lara Jr., he worked at a public defender’s office representing clients facing serious felony charges, and his analytical background in DNA research gives our firm a distinctive perspective on complex forensic evidence.

Talk to a Murder Attorney in San Antonio Today

Time matters after a murder arrest. Evidence is gathered quickly, statements can be used against a defendant, and early defense decisions affect every stage that follows. We offer free, confidential consultations and we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights and weekends. We serve clients in English and Spanish throughout San Antonio and Bexar County.

You work directly with Attorney Guillermo Lara Jr. from the first call through the resolution of your case. Call The Law Office of Guillermo Lara Jr. now at (210) 787-2842 to get started.

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