Office Manslaughter Penalties in Texas

How Texas Punishes Office Manslaughter

When a death occurs in an office or workplace, prosecutors may pursue charges under Texas criminal homicide law. Texas does not have a statute expressly titled “office manslaughter,” so these cases are typically prosecuted as Manslaughter (§ 19.04) or Criminally Negligent Homicide (§ 19.05). Understanding the punishment ranges and collateral consequences is critical if you’re facing workplace fatality charges in Houston.

Manslaughter Penalties in Texas (Penal Code § 19.04)

If an office-related death is charged as manslaughter, the offense is a second-degree felony with the following range of punishment:

2–20 years in prison (Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
Fine up to $10,000
Potential community supervision (probation) depending on case facts and eligibility

See Texas Penal Code § 12.33 for the second-degree felony punishment range.

Criminally Negligent Homicide Penalties (Penal Code § 19.05)

Where prosecutors argue criminal negligence rather than recklessness, the charge may be a state jail felony:

180 days–2 years in a state jail facility
Fine up to $10,000

See Texas Penal Code § 12.35 for state jail felony punishment.

Collateral Consequences of an Office Manslaughter Conviction

Professional licensing issues and disciplinary actions
Career disruption and reputational harm
Civil liability exposure (e.g., wrongful death suits)
Immigration consequences for non-citizens

Aggravating Factors That May Influence Sentencing

Evidence of gross disregard for safety (e.g., repeated fire/building code violations)
Victim status (e.g., vulnerable visitors or contractors without training)
History of related OSHA issues or prior warnings about the hazard

Defense Approaches That Can Reduce Exposure

Causation Disputes

We scrutinize whether the alleged conduct was the substantial cause of death, using independent reconstruction and human-factors experts to identify alternative causes or intervening acts.

Recklessness vs. Negligence

Not every tragic accident is a felony. We challenge the State’s mental-state theory and show when facts fit negligence (or no criminal liability) rather than reckless conduct causing death.

Mitigation & Compliance Evidence

Documented training, written programs, prior fixes, and good-faith safety efforts can influence charging decisions and sentencing outcomes.

Related Houston Practice Areas

Speak with Cory Roth Law Office Today

If you are facing office manslaughter penalties in Texas or are under investigation after a workplace fatality, act quickly. We move fast to preserve evidence, challenge the State’s case, and protect your future.

Contact Cory Roth Law Office to schedule a confidential consultation.

FAQs

Potentially. A key defense theme is separating “recklessness” from “criminal negligence.” Demonstrating training, safety programs, and compliance efforts may support charge reductions, alternative resolutions, or lighter sentences.

Yes. The State may file multiple counts. Whether sentences run concurrently or consecutively depends on charging decisions and the court’s rulings. Early work on causation, charging, and mitigation can meaningfully affect total exposure.

Felony convictions can trigger professional-licensing problems, employment barriers, immigration consequences for non-citizens, reputational harm, and exposure to civil wrongful-death suits—often as impactful as the criminal sentence.

They don’t automatically raise the statutory range, but prosecutors may use them as aggravating facts at plea or sentencing. The defense can counter with evidence of compliance efforts, corrective actions, and expert analysis.

A deadly-weapon finding can restrict probation options and affect parole eligibility calculations. Whether workplace facts support such a finding is case-specific and often contested through motions and expert testimony.

Sometimes. Eligibility depends on the charge level, enhancements, prior record, and whether a judge or jury sentences you. Some findings can limit or bar probation—your attorney should evaluate the specifics early.

Manslaughter is typically a second-degree felony with a potential 2–20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If charged as criminally negligent homicide, it’s a state jail felony with 180 days–2 years and up to a $10,000 fine. Actual exposure depends on the facts and any enhancements.

Houston Office Manslaughter Penalties

Office Manslaughter Penalties in Texas