Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Weston, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Weston, MO. Weapons, both concealed and open carry, are popular in MO – if you live in Missouri, you have a lot of options for legal weapons and self-defense tools. But that doesn’t mean that weapon crimes charges aren’t taken seriously.

A lot of weapon crime charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. If you don’t have a leading Weston weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Protect your life. Safeguard your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of Weston’s leading weapons crime defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 80 years of combined legal experience. We are committed to giving you the strongest defense possible and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.

Contact us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Weston, MO?

MO law defines what you can and can’t do with firearms and other weapons. But that’s not all you have to worry about in MO: There are still federal laws that affect the availability and use of self-defense tools. One way they are different is this: MO does not address background checks in the sale or transfer of firearms, but federally-licensed dealers are required to perform one, meaning that if you want to buy a gun in MO, you should still be prepared for a background check.

In MO, the majority of citizens are permitted to carry a gun, provided that:

1. In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, and
2. They have not had their right to bear arms taken away.

MO allows its citizens the use of guns to shoot targets and for self-defense, but some other uses are against the law. These actions mostly are those that would endanger others, such as firing a gun near a school, firing one while intoxicated, or firing it into a building.

One key thing to be aware of – so far, this page has mainly covered state restrictions above, MO allows for individual localities to enforce their own more stringent laws on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re following Weston laws, be sure to go through your local statutes and consult with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Weston, MO weapon crime charges cover a wide range of alleged crimes, but some charges are more common than others. Here are some of the most common types of cases that we’ve helped defend at Combs Waterkotte:

• Unlawful Use of a Weapon
• Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Transport, and Repair of Certain Weapons
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit
• Possession of an Illegal Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated
• Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
• Federal Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Federal Weapons/Firearm Offenses
• Other Gun Charges
• Other Weapons Offenses

Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO

Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Weston, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense devices, namely pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without special permits.

Knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are designated as dangerous weapons. With this classification, even though they are not firearms, they typically face the same limitations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

However, as mentioned above with guns, different localities are allowed to establish different regulations, so reach out to a Weston weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a specific self-defense device.

MO Weapon Crimes Penalties:

The penalties for alleged weapon crimes in MO are steep. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney early:

When you look at the potential fallout of a conviction, why would you not hire a Weston weapon crimes defense lawyer?

What to Look For in a Weston, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer

When you’re deciding on a Weston, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need someone who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and won’t stop until you get the justice you deserve.

Here are some of the main things to look for when choosing a lawyer to represent you:

• Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Our attorneys has a wealth of experience defending against weapon crime charges, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
• Reputation: If you ask someone about their experience with your defense attorney, you’ll want to hear a glowing review. Combs Waterkotte has a stellar reputation amongst former clients, peers, and professional bodies.
• Resources: Some cases can be handled by just one attorney. But for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals on your side.
• Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, we take pride in maintaining open lines of communication with all of our clients, and we make sure you know what we’re working on with your case.
• Ferocious Defense: If the case goes to trial, you don’t want someone only half-prepared. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. Our attorneys always prepare our cases as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Weston, MO

Weapon crimes are, on a fundamental level, just like most other criminal allegations: You are charged, negotiate, and if necessary, go to trial. That said, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and defensive strategies are often less about whether you “did it” and more on whether what the defendant did was “justified.”

In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense tactics we might use in your defense against Weston, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

• Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal charges can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, it’s legal to defend yourself against imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Just like with self-defense, you are allowed to use force to defend another person. Some weapon charges can be dropped if this is the case, just like with self-defense.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine states that you are permitted to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and other people in your home. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the amount and type of force you use needs to be proportionate to the threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is related to castle doctrine. This law in Missouri dictates that you can use force and/or weapons to defend yourself, even outside of your home, as long as you are allowed permitted to be wherever you are.
• Necessity: The defense of necessity acknowledges that you committed the illegal act, but provides an excuse as to why you shouldn’t be punished. Perhaps you stole a weapon that you knew was going to be misused. You could be charged with theft, but you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
• Duress: When you unwillingly broke the law, because another person forced to do so, duress could be a valid excuse. For example, if someone threatened your family and made you carry a weapon into a government building, you could claim duress as a defense.
• Lack of Intent: If you didn’t mean to break the law, depending on what exactly it was, a lack of intent can protect you from punishment. For example, giving a blackjack to someone younger than 18 is not allowed without approval from their parent/guardian. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.

Weston, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Up Against Criminal Weapon Charges in Weston, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte As Soon As Possible

Weapon crime allegations in Weston are no joke. If the state is charging you with them, you need a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to protect your rights. You need Combs Waterkotte.

When we take the case, you’re choosing a firm that doesn’t settle for the second-best outcome. Our team is results-driven, and that means not stopping until we get the best possible outcome for you. We have the resources and track record of success that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.