Capital offenses are crimes that are punishable by death. Encyclopedia Britannica defines capital punishment as the “execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law.”
What Constitutes a Capital Crime?
In short, the death of another individual during the commission of a felony is a capital offense. However, there are other offenses that qualify as capital crimes.
Pursuant to Texas Penal Code Section 19.03, the following crimes are Capital Murder in Texas:
- murder of a peace officer or fireman who is acting in the lawful discharge of an official duty and who the person knows is a peace officer or fireman;
- murder during the commission or attempted commission of kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, obstruction or retaliation, or terroristic threat;
- murder for remuneration or promise of remuneration or employs another to commit murder for remuneration or promise of remuneration;
- murder during escape or attempted escape from a penal institution;
- murder, while incarcerated in a penal institution, of a correctional employee or with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination;
- murder while incarcerated in a penal institution for a conviction of murder or capital murder;
- murder while incarcerated in a penal institution serving a life sentence or a 99 year sentence for a conviction of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, or aggravated robbery;
- murder of more than one person during the same criminal transaction or during different criminal transactions but the murders are committed pursuant to the same scheme or course of conduct;
- murder of an individual under ten years of age; or
- murder in retaliation for or on account of the service or status of the other person as a judge or justice of the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, a district court, a criminal district court, a constitutional county court, a statutory county court, a justice court, or a municipal court.
Need Legal Counsel for a Capital Case?
Call Attorney Brandon Strauss. Get Help Now.
Since 2008 the Strauss Law Firm has provided outstanding legal representation to individuals charged with both misdemeanor and felony offenses in Houston and throughout the state of Texas.
Capital murder charges mean that a person’s life is on the line. This means they’ll need a serious lawyer.
Attorney Brandon Strauss has represented individuals on over 5,000 cases and holds a perfect 5 star rating as a result of the excellent reviews of our clients. If you need to talk with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Houston about a serious felony charge such a capital offense, call our law firm today.
Our law office provides 100% free & confidential consultations, flexible payment options when needed, and attentive legal counsel. To get started, call 713-586-9200.
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