Experienced Defense Attorney in Deadly Conduct Cases
A deadly conduct charge often catches people by surprise.
Many assume it requires someone to be injured, but that is not always the case. In Texas, prosecutors can file deadly conduct charges when they believe a person’s actions created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or involved knowingly discharging a firearm under circumstances that endangered others.
At Odefey, Witte, Wall, & Villafranca, LLP, attorney Jordan G. Fries represents clients charged with deadly conduct throughout Victoria, Port Lavaca, and surrounding South Texas communities. As a former prosecutor, he understands how these cases are investigated and why the details surrounding the incident often determine how the case is ultimately charged.
Deadly conduct allegations arise in a variety of situations, many of which do not involve an intent to harm another person.
Common examples include:
One fact many people do not realize is that prosecutors are not always required to prove someone was actually injured. The focus is often on whether the conduct itself created the level of danger required under Texas law.
The penalties for deadly conduct depend on how the offense is charged and the specific facts of the case.
A conviction may result in:
Certain deadly conduct allegations may be charged as felonies, particularly those involving the discharge of a firearm, resulting in substantially greater punishment than misdemeanor offenses.
Deadly conduct cases often depend on how investigators interpret rapidly unfolding events. Jordan begins by examining whether the available evidence supports the allegation that another person was actually placed in danger.
These cases frequently turn on details that are not obvious from the initial police report. Understanding exactly what happened, and what the evidence can actually prove, is often one of the most important parts of evaluating the charge.
Deadly conduct charges can carry serious consequences, but the outcome often depends on the strength of the evidence rather than the seriousness of the allegation alone.
Jordan Fries brings the perspective of a former felony prosecutor who understands how these cases are reviewed before charges are filed and as they move through the criminal justice system.
