MANSLAUGHTER

Manslaughter under Texas Penal Code § 19.04 requires the State to prove that a person recklessly caused the death of an individual. Recklessness, defined by Texas Penal Code § 6.03(c), means the person was aware of but consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death would result, and that disregarding the risk was a gross deviation from the standard of care an ordinary person would exercise in the circumstances. No intent to kill or injure is required — that is what separates manslaughter from murder under § 19.02, which requires an intentional or knowing killing or an intent to cause serious bodily injury. It is likewise distinct from criminally negligent homicide under § 19.05, where the actor fails to perceive the risk rather than consciously disregarding it. Subsection (b) classifies the offense as a second-degree felony.

Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.

Across 570 Texas bail settings for this charge (3 counties, Nov 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $75,000 (middle half: $30,000 – $150,000). 3% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 53 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (201 records), the median was $75,000 and 1% got a personal bond.

Showing the 3 counties with the most records; use the selector for any county with at least 30. Per-charge bond settings on original magistrations, from Texas OCA bail reporting under SB 6. Bail is set case by case — these are statistics, not a prediction.