Homicide lawyer in Kirkwood, MO. Facing a homicide charge in Kirkwood, MO is probably one of the most critical legal challenges anyone can endure. These accusations carry harsh punishments, including extended jail time or even the possibility of the death penalty. If you’ve been charged with homicide in Kirkwood, MO or anywhere in Missouri, speaking with an experienced homicide lawyer right away is essential.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation where you can discuss the specifics of your case with an expert criminal defense attorney. Our legal team has successfully handled over 10,000 cases just like yours.
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Types of Homicide Charges in Kirkwood, MO and Throughout Missouri
Homicide charges can differ based on the intent and situation surrounding the killing. It’s essential to grasp the various types of homicide charges that may be relevant:
First-Degree Murder
The most serious of homicide charges, first-degree murder involves a premeditated, intentional killing. This is class A felony, often carrying life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole, or even the death penalty depending on the circumstances.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-degree murder involves an intentional killing that was not premeditated. Also a class A felony, this offense can carry prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years, or even life. This differs from the first degree in that you may qualify for parole after serving more than 85 percent of the sentence.
Manslaughter:
Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of someone without the intent to end their life. It can be categorized as voluntary – triggered by a sudden emotional reaction – or involuntary – resulting from careless or reckless actions. This offense is classified as a class B or class C felony.
Vehicular Manslaughter
This involves causing an individual’s death through reckless or negligent driving. Charges range from a misdemeanor to a felony, and penalties for vehicular manslaughter vary depending on whether drugs, alcohol, or extreme recklessness were involved.
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What Should I Do If I’m Charged with Homicide in Kirkwood, MO?
Homicide refers to the act of one individual causing the death of another. However, not all instances of homicide quality as murder; some may be classified as manslaughter, while others may be deemed lawful, such as cases involving an affirmative defense like self-defense or insanity.
Being accused of homicide in Kirkwood, MO is a serious issue. It’s vital to know what actions to take after being questioned, arrested, or indicted. Our knowledgeable homicide legal team in Kirkwood, MO suggests the following steps:
- Hire an Attorney: It’s essential to have a competent Combs Waterkotte homicide attorney on your side in Kirkwood, MO as early as possible is critical to getting a successful outcome. A good lawyer can review police reports, gather critical evidence, interview witnesses, and build a solid defense. They can also seek ways to have charges reduced or dismissed and formulate an effective trial strategy. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
- Keep Quiet: When police advise you that “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law” during the reading of your Miranda rights, believe them. Saying the wrong thing during investigations could potentially change the outcome of your case and give prosecutors ample material to prove guilt. Having a good criminal defense lawyer in Kirkwood, MO is critical in this regard, as you would want to tell the truth but in the correct way.
- Understand You are Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Sadly, in our current climate, being accused of a crime can lead many to presume your guilty. This perception can significantly impact your mental health and make you consider things that you would never do under better circumstances. Luckily for you, your Combs Waterkotte Kirkwood, MO homicide lawyer is aware of the challenges you’re facing and can help you find hope amid adversity.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Why You Should Hire a Combs Waterkotte Homicide Lawyer in Kirkwood, MO
If you’re facing homicide charges, the stakes are incredibly high in Kirkwood, MO. It’s critical not to leave your future to chance or to rely on a lawyer whose name you saw on a billboard or bus stop. Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney could determine whether you receive a reduced sentence, achieve freedom, or face life imprisonment. Here’s how the Combs Waterkotte homicide legal team helps in Kirkwood, MO:
- Comprehensive Case Investigation: Our homicide legal team will initiate a detailed investigation of the circumstances surrounding your case, examining police documents, forensic data, witness accounts, and all relevant materials. They may also work with private investigators and expert witnesses to effectively challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
- Find Gaps in the Prosecution’s Case: Our relentless homicide lawyers will meticulously analyze every detail of the case to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. Identifying these weaknesses could lead to a dismissal of charges, a reduction in charges, or a successful acquittal.
- Ensure Your Rights are Protected: Under Kirkwood, MO and Missouri law, as well as the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights, you possess specific rights. These rights are essential for ensuring a fair and impartial justice system. Our Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys have unfortunately encountered numerous instances where our clients’ rights were violated. We are committed to defending your rights and securing your future throughout the Kirkwood, MO area. Here are three frequently violated rights during Kirkwood, MO homicide arrests and interrogations:
- Violations of Due Process: When you are accused of homicide or any crime, you have the right to due process, ensuring fair treatment throughout the legal system. This includes being informed of the charges against you and the opportunity to respond. Additionally, you have the right to an impartial judge or jury to determine your guilt or innocence. Prosecutors must provide all exculpatory evidence, and failing to do so constitutes a violation of your due process rights.
- Failure to Provide the Miranda Warning: In the landmark case of Miranda v. Arizona, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that law enforcement must inform you of your rights before conducting any questioning. This includes your right to remain silent, the right to legal representation, as well as a warning that anything you say can be used against you in court. Officers only need to read your Miranda rights if they detain and question you with the intent to use your statements in court. While you can waive these rights, it’s not advisable. Instead, assert your right to remain silent and contact a Combs Waterkotte homicide lawyer right away at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online.
- Illegal Searches and Seizures: The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. Police need reasonable doubt to stop or investigate you and must have probable cause to make an arrest in Kirkwood, MO and beyond. This means they need to provide factual justification for their belief that a crime was or is being committed. Evidence gathered through unlawful searches may be deemed inadmissible in court.
- Secure Expert Testimony: Our team at Combs Waterkotte has access to a diverse network of skilled professionals in the Kirkwood, MO area, from forensic scientists and ballistics experts to medical examiners and crime scene analysts. Our attorneys can enlist these experts to challenge key elements of the case, such as the cause of death.
- Negotiate Lesser Charges: An experienced and aggressive Kirkwood, MO homicide lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or penalties in exchange for a guilty plea to a lesser charge, especially if the evidence against you is compelling. The Combs Waterkotte homicide lawyers always act in your best interest. While they may provide guidance and expert legal advice, the final decision is yours.
If you’re accused of homicide in the Kirkwood, MO area and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you aren’t just hiring the ideal homicide lawyer in Kirkwood, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert criminal defense from our esteemed homicide lawyers, our entire staff offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Kirkwood and beyond:
Consult an Experienced Homicide Lawyer in Kirkwood, MO Right Away at Combs Waterkotte
Since homicide is a serious felony crime, it’s essential for anyone facing these charges to speak with a Kirkwood, MO homicide attorney right away. Our experienced legal team has a deep understanding of Missouri laws and is committed to doing everything possible to have your charges reduced or dropped. If you’re dealing with a homicide charge in or around Kirkwood, MO, don’t wait.
Contact a skilled Combs Waterkotte homicide lawyer in Kirkwood, MO now to protect your rights and future while ensuring the best possible defense. Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review.
