MANSLAUGHTERTexas Penal Code (PC) § 19.04(b)

Manslaughter is a second-degree felony under Texas PC § 19.04(b).

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.

30% ended without a conviction, 20% in deferred adjudication and 51% in a conviction.

How 261 resolved MANSLAUGHTER charges filed 2019–2023 ended, across 14 counties (Bastrop, Bell, Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, FortBend, Galveston, Harris, Hays, Montgomery, Rockwall, Travis, Williamson):

Outcome is the final disposition recorded on the charge. “Other” (1) covers waived counts, bond forfeitures, transfers and unrecorded outcomes. Bexar County records disposition dates but not outcomes, so it counts toward time-to-disposition only. Tarrant County criminal records are not in this dataset.

Typically about 23 months: half of resolved cases closed within 708 days of filing.

Across 261 resolved MANSLAUGHTER charges filed 2019–2023, the median time from filing to disposition was 708 days. The middle half took between 428 and 1022 days.

Time depends on the county's docket, whether the case is set for trial, and plea negotiations.

2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

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

The median bail is $75,000, and 3% of defendants were released on a personal bond.

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.