How Many Years Can You Get for Intoxication Manslaughter in Houston?
Two independently prosecuted Houston cases in this small selected public-reporting sample resulted in 11-year and 18-year prison terms for intoxication manslaughter. They are not a citywide average, a typical result, or a prediction.
Quick Answer
- Independent case clusters: 2
- Observed target-offense terms: 11 and 18 years
- Locations: Interstate 45 and the Gulf Freeway feeder road in Houston
- System: Texas state prosecutions
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What Is Intoxication Manslaughter in Texas?
Texas Penal Code §49.08 applies when a person operates a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated and, by reason of that intoxication, causes another person’s death by accident or mistake. The basic offense is a second-degree felony. Separate rules can increase punishment in particular circumstances.
Statutory Sentence
Texas Penal Code §12.33 generally sets the imprisonment range for a second-degree felony at 2 to 20 years and permits a fine of up to $10,000. Enhancements, multiple victims, prior convictions, deadly-weapon findings, and consecutive-sentence rules can change the overall case result. That statutory framework is distinct from the two observed target-count terms below.
Observed Houston Outcomes
| Case | Houston conduct | Disposition | Final intoxication-manslaughter term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juan David Almanza | Wrong-way collision on Interstate 45 in Houston | Jury convictions for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault | 11 years; the separate 2-year assault term ran concurrently |
| Veronica Rivas | Fatal crash on a Gulf Freeway feeder road in Houston | Guilty plea to intoxication manslaughter charges | 18 years in prison |
Case Sources
Almanza: The Texas First Court of Appeals opinion identifies Interstate 45 in Houston, both convictions, and separately allocated concurrent terms. Only the 11-year intoxication-manslaughter term is used here. Appellate opinion.
Rivas: Reliable Houston court reporting identifies the Houston crash, guilty plea, target offense, and 18-year final prison sentence. Case source.
Methodology
We retained only completed Texas cases with an exact Houston offense location, an express intoxication-manslaughter disposition, and a final sentence. Both values are target-offense terms; no average is calculated.
Sources
Disclaimer
General information only, not legal advice.