Homicide Attorney in Brazoria County

Serious Charges Demand Steady, Local Defense

Being accused of taking a life is one of the most serious situations a person can face. A homicide charge in Texas can mean decades in prison or even life, and the process in Brazoria County can move quickly. You need clear information and steady guidance, not fear or guesswork.

At Crenshaw & Purvis, we represent people who are under investigation, recently arrested, or already indicted for homicide and other serious violent felonies here. Our homicide attorneys bring over a century of combined legal experience to these cases. Both of our lawyers previously served in the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, and one of our partners is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

If you or a loved one is facing a homicide allegation, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible. We work to protect your rights from the very beginning and to help you understand each step in front of you in the Brazoria County courts. 

Need guidance from a homicide attorney in Brazoria County? Contact us online or call (979) 200-4746 to discuss your situation.

Why Choose Our Homicide Defense Team

When the stakes involve the rest of your life, the background of your lawyer matters. Our firm has been serving clients from our office in Angleton since 2003, and our homicide attorneys have tried serious felony cases on both sides of the courtroom. That long-term presence in the Brazoria County courthouse gives us a grounded understanding of how these cases move through the system.

Attorney Jeff Purvis is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification reflects advanced criminal law training and substantial trial experience. In homicide and other serious violent crime cases, that deeper knowledge can influence how we evaluate charges, identify legal issues, and prepare for hearings and trials.

Attorney Steven Crenshaw has been licensed in Texas since 1984 and served as First Assistant District Attorney in the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office from 1990 to 2004. Attorney Purvis served as an Assistant District Attorney in that same office from 1997 to 1999. Because we have handled serious cases from the prosecution side, we understand how prosecutors in this county tend to assess evidence, make charging decisions, and approach plea negotiations.

We pair that background with close client communication. Our goal is to give you honest assessments, explain your options in plain language, and build a defense strategy that fits the facts of your case and your priorities. You are not treated as a file number. We work to answer your questions, keep your family informed within ethical limits, and prepare you for every hearing.

Facing Homicide Charges In Brazoria County

Understanding what you or your loved one may be facing can reduce some of the fear and help you make informed decisions. In Texas, homicide charges generally include capital murder, murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Each type has different elements and potential punishment ranges. The specific charge the State pursues can depend on factors such as intent, alleged circumstances, and prior history.

In Brazoria County, serious felony cases are typically heard in the district courts at the courthouse in Angleton. The process often begins with an arrest or an investigation that leads to an arrest. Bond may be set by a magistrate, and in many homicide cases, bond can be high or, in some circumstances, not immediately set. After that, the case may go before a grand jury for possible indictment. If indicted, the case proceeds through a series of pretrial settings, plea discussions, and potentially a jury trial.

Throughout this process, deadlines and hearings can come up quickly. Decisions made early, such as whether to give a statement, how to handle bond conditions, and how to respond to early offers, can shape the rest of the case. Our homicide attorneys are familiar with the procedures in the Brazoria County courts and with how the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office typically handles serious violent charges.

When we take on a homicide case, we walk our clients and their families through what to expect at each stage. We talk about typical timelines, what preparation is needed for each hearing, and what information from you can help us evaluate the evidence. While every case is different, having a clear roadmap and a local team on your side can provide a measure of stability during a difficult time.

What To Do After An Arrest Or Investigation

If you are under investigation or already in custody, what you do next can affect your future. Law enforcement and prosecutors are working to build their case. You should have someone working to protect your rights just as actively. It is natural to want to explain yourself, but speaking without legal guidance can create problems that are hard to undo.

For family members, the situation can feel urgent and confusing. You may be getting limited information, hearing bits and pieces from different sources, and wondering how to help. Reaching out to a homicide lawyer in Brazoria County as early as possible gives you a point of contact who understands the system and can help you sort through those questions.

Here are practical steps that can help protect a homicide case:

• Stay calm and avoid discussing the facts of the incident with law enforcement, jail staff, or other inmates before speaking with a homicide attorney.
• Do not talk about the case on recorded jail calls or through text messages and social media, since these communications can be reviewed later.
• Family members should write down key information, such as dates, times, potential witnesses, and any contact from law enforcement, and keep these notes in a safe place.
• Avoid trying to contact alleged victims or witnesses on your own, because such contact can raise additional legal issues.
• Call our firm as soon as you can so we can discuss the situation confidentially and determine what steps make sense in your circumstances.

We regularly speak with people whose cases are still under investigation, as well as those who are already in the Brazoria County jail. In many situations, early involvement allows us to advise you about interviews, preserve important information, and begin evaluating possible legal issues before key decisions are made.

How We Approach Homicide Defense

Every homicide case revolves around specific facts, people, and choices, so our first step is to understand what actually happened from your perspective and from the available records. We review police reports, forensic materials, recorded interviews, and any video or digital evidence we can obtain. Because one of our homicide attorneys is Board Certified in Criminal Law, we are attentive to the legal issues that can arise with searches, statements, identifications, and other key parts of the State’s case.

Our background as former Brazoria County prosecutors helps us anticipate how the State may view the evidence. We consider questions that prosecutors are likely to ask, such as what the physical evidence shows, how witnesses may appear to a jury, and whether there are issues with proof of intent. That perspective can inform how we prepare for cross-examination, what motions we file, and how we evaluate any offers from the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office.

Potential defenses in a homicide case can include self-defense, defense of others, lack of intent, identity issues, or challenges to the reliability of the State’s evidence. Not every theory applies in every case, and part of our work is to identify which paths are realistically available. We may, for example, look closely at forensic reports, consult with appropriate professionals when needed, or explore whether law enforcement followed required procedures.

Communication is a central part of our approach. We explain what we are doing, what information we need from you, and what choices you may be asked to make. Our goal is to give you an honest view of the risks and possibilities so that any decision, including whether to go to trial, is made with as much clarity as possible. Throughout, we stay current with developments in Texas criminal law that may affect evidence, defenses, or sentencing in serious felony cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I am accused of homicide?

The most important step is to remain calm and avoid discussing details of the incident with anyone other than your attorney. Assert your right to remain silent respectfully, and ask to speak with a homicide lawyer. Contact our firm as soon as possible so we can review your situation and advise you directly.

How can your former prosecutor background help my case?

Our prior service in the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office gives us insight into how the State typically builds and evaluates homicide cases. We use that knowledge when analyzing evidence, anticipating prosecution strategy, and preparing for hearings and trials, which helps us make more informed decisions about your defense.

Will you keep my family informed throughout the case?

We work to keep clients and, when appropriate, their families informed about major developments, upcoming court dates, and decisions that may need to be made. Within ethical and confidentiality limits, we answer questions and explain the process so your family is not left in the dark about what is happening.

Can you help if my case is still under investigation?

Yes, we often become involved while a case is still being investigated. Early representation allows us to advise you about interviews, help you avoid harmful statements, and start assessing potential issues in the State’s case. Acting before charges are filed can be important in serious felony matters.

Do you handle all types of homicide charges?

We handle a wide range of serious violent cases, including different categories of homicide charges under Texas law. Our experience in Brazoria County, combined with Board Certification in Criminal Law, allows us to address complex legal and factual issues that tend to arise in these cases.

Talk With Our Team About Your Homicide Case

If you or someone you care about is accused of homicide in this county, you do not have to face the courts alone. Our homicide attorneys draw on decades of criminal law experience in the Brazoria County courthouse, including years spent inside the District Attorney’s Office, to guide people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

We meet with clients and families to review what has happened so far, discuss how the process works here in Angleton, and outline next steps tailored to the situation. Our goal is to provide clear information, focused legal representation, and steady support as we work to protect your rights. 

Speak with a homicide attorney to understand your options and the next steps in your case. Contact us online or call (979) 200-4746.