At Jones & De La Garza, we deliver elite, results-driven legal defense for individuals charged with capital murder in San Antonio and Bexar County. With a reputation for courtroom excellence and post-conviction success, our firm is uniquely equipped to handle every stage of a capital case—from pre-indictment through trial, sentencing, appeals, and habeas corpus proceedings.
Capital murder charges in Texas are the most serious criminal accusations an individual can face, carrying the possibility of life without parole or the death penalty. When your life or freedom is on the line, trust a legal team with proven experience defending capital cases in San Antonio’s state and federal courts.
Few charges carry the weight and consequences of capital murder in Texas. As a death penalty-eligible offense, capital murder demands an aggressive, strategic, and highly skilled defense from attorneys who understand every aspect of the criminal justice system—from arrest to trial to appeal and post-conviction relief.
At Jones & De La Garza, we are one of the few San Antonio law firms with real experience defending clients in capital murder cases. Our team brings together powerful courtroom advocacy, deep appellate knowledge, and a track record of results in high-stakes criminal cases.
Under the Texas Penal Code §19.03, capital murder is defined as an intentional or knowing homicide committed under specific aggravating circumstances. A murder becomes “capital” when it includes one or more of the following:
Convictions for capital murder in Texas can result in two possible penalties:
Capital murder prosecutions in Texas are governed by both the Texas Penal Code (specifically Chapter 19) and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, particularly Articles 37.071 and 11.071. These provisions lay out the structure for capital sentencing procedures, jury considerations, automatic appeals, and post-conviction writs of habeas corpus.
Article 37.071 outlines procedures for determining whether the death penalty is appropriate, including jury instructions regarding future dangerousness and mitigating evidence.
Article 11.071 governs the habeas corpus procedures for individuals sentenced to death, establishing tight deadlines and procedural rules that require an experienced post-conviction attorney.
Our law firm offers a rare combination of strengths that make us uniquely qualified to defend capital murder cases:
Together, we provide clients with complete coverage across all stages of the criminal process—something few firms can match.
Our defense approach is comprehensive and tailored to the unique challenges of each case. We focus on:
We know the high-stakes nature of capital murder cases and how they are handled in Bexar County courts. From the moment you contact our office, we begin a meticulous investigation and develop a defense strategy designed to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Our legal defense services for capital murder include:
With decades of combined experience in Texas capital litigation, we understand how prosecutors build these cases—and how to dismantle them.
Defending clients in death penalty cases in Texas requires advanced legal knowledge, expert coordination, and the ability to navigate intense pressure. At Jones & De La Garza, we bring all of that and more. We’ve successfully handled cases where the state sought the death penalty and have secured favorable outcomes including life verdicts, not guilty verdicts, verdicts on lesser-included offenses, favorable plea agreements, and dismissals.
Our team collaborates with:
We humanize our clients and tell their full story—inside and outside the courtroom.
Our attorneys have successfully defended capital murder cases in San Antonio and throughout Texas, including capital murder charges in San Antonio, Texas involving:
We’re known for our trial preparation, compelling storytelling, and ability to connect with Bexar County juries.
Many capital murder cases involve lengthy post-trial proceedings, including automatic appeals and habeas corpus review. That’s why having an appellate lawyer involved from the beginning is critical.
At Jones & De La Garza, our appellate division ensures that all legal errors are preserved for future review—giving our clients every chance at relief, even after a conviction. We are one of the only firms in San Antonio with both a trial and appellate attorney under the same roof, working together from day one.
Our firm successfully represented a client convicted of capital murder where the trial court had excluded critical evidence and failed to instruct the jury properly. On appeal, we secured a reversal based on these errors. The client’s sentence was vacated, and a retrial was ordered. In preparation for the retrial, we developed new mitigation evidence and ultimately achieved a resolution short of the death penalty.
A: Murder (Texas Penal Code §19.02) involves intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person. Capital murder (§19.03) includes aggravating circumstances, such as killing a police officer, killing during another felony, or killing multiple victims.
A: In most cases, no. Capital murder defendants are typically held without bond due to the severity of the charge and the potential for the death penalty.
A: A capital murder conviction in Texas results in either life without parole or the death penalty. All death penalty cases are automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
A: During the punishment phase, the defense can present mitigating evidence (mental illness, trauma, youth, etc.) to argue against a death sentence and in favor of life imprisonment.
A: This is a special form of habeas corpus for individuals sentenced to death in Texas. It allows a convicted person to challenge the conviction or sentence on constitutional grounds that weren’t raised in the original trial or appeal.
Jones & De La Garza is headquartered in downtown San Antonio, inside the historic Walter Tynan Building at 401 S. Presa Street—just minutes from the Bexar County Courthouse and the federal courthouse.
We serve clients across:
Your life and freedom deserve the strongest possible defense. If you or someone you love is facing capital murder charges in San Antonio or Bexar County, contact Jones & De La Garza immediately. Our team is available 24/7 to protect your rights and build a winning strategy.
Call us now or fill out our secure online form to schedule your consultation. We fight for justice—and we fight to win.
When your life is at stake, you need a defense team that combines courtroom firepower with appellate precision. At Jones & De La Garza, we defend the most serious cases with focus, preparation, and unwavering commitment to our clients.
We serve clients throughout San Antonio, Bexar County, and across Texas in both trial and post-conviction capital murder defense.
Call today to schedule a confidential case evaluation.
Our office is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio at 401 S. Presa Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205, inside the historic Walter Tynan Building. This iconic location not only places us steps away from local and federal courthouses, but also reflects our deep roots in the San Antonio legal community. We are proud to serve clients from across Bexar County and beyond with unmatched dedication and accessibility.
Free Consultation 210-401-0000