Murder Defense Lawyer, Kansas City, Missouri. Murder charges are arguably the most serious criminal charges you can face in Missouri. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life. Or in even more serious cases, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Kansas City, your future is looking bleak.
But you’re not alone. You have Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we fight to protect our clients’ rights and freedom. We have experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
With us, you’re in good hands. You can start building your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re available 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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How a Murder Defense Lawyer Protects Your Freedom in Kansas City
Fighting for your freedom starts the moment you contact your Kansas City murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your attorney can advise you on how to interact with the police. Having a lawyer in the room during questioning is more than just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you from interrogation techniques and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
After the arrest (and typically questioning), you’ll be given an arraignment hearing, where you are formally charged with a crime. It’s possible that you’ll be charged with armed criminal action or other violent crimes alongside murder. If a bail amount is given, this is usually also done at this time. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your Kansas City homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or is a case of mistaken identity. Regardless of the strategy, your lawyer will also be in contact with the prosecutor for plea negotiations to see if they can secure a positive outcome for you.
If the negotiations don’t work, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We stand by your side and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy as needed.
In summary, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Kansas City:
- Protect your rights during interrogations
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An experienced attorney like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Kansas City Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when hiring a Kansas City murder defense lawyer, you want one who knows how to defend your specific charges.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Missouri. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder is defined in Missouri as the deliberate taking of another person’s life, after planning for it. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
The sentence for first-degree murder is either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder has a wider definition than first-degree murder in Missouri. It includes:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then unintentionally killing them, and
- Attempting to commit another felony, if someone dies in the process.
As a Class A Felony, you can face a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years, or life.
Murder vs. Manslaughter in Missouri
Murder and manslaughter are similar, but generally differ in one key area: Intentions. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender took the alleged victim’s life on purpose, without exculpatory circumstances.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Kansas City, Missouri, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Killing someone in what would be second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Helping someone take their own life.
As a Class B Felony, the alleged offender may be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter does not include the intentional taking of another person’s life. Instead, Missouri defines it as causing someone’s death by acting recklessly.
Normally, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (either a targeted police officer or a close family member), it can be increased to a Class B Felony.
Second-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
Second-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter also involves the unintentional taking of human life. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent in such a way that causes someone’s death.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter is typically a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for those special victims.
View the table below for a summary of the differences between different types of murder and manslaughter:
| Murder/Manslaughter Charge | Description | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| First-Degree Murder | Intentionally killing someone, with planning. | Death penalty or life in prison |
| Second-Degree Murder | Intentionally killing someone, without planning, OR someone dies while committing another felony | 10-30 years or life in prison. |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | Intentionally killing someone while emotionally unstable OR helping someone kill themself | 5-15 years in prison |
| First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter | Acting recklessly and having someone die as a result | Class C Felony: 3-10 years in prison Class B Felony: 5-15 years in prison |
| Second-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter | Acting negligently and having someone die as a result | Class E Felony: Up to 4 years in prison Class D Felony: Up to 7 years in prison |
On top of the formal penalties, you can face numerous collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you work with our team, you get a Kansas City murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Kansas City
If you’re looking for a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Kansas City, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you well and have a plan for how to handle your case. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Prior experience with your charges
- A track record of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- Lack of experience with murder charges
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Dismissive or disinterested attitude
- Unorganized or vague plan for how to help you
Free book
How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Charged with a crime? The lawyer you hire matters. Combs Waterkotte, recognized for top-tier criminal defense in Missouri and Illinois, created this guide to help you find the right attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
When Do Kansas City Murder Charges Become Federal?
Any murder charge is serious. But if it’s federal, that only makes things more extreme. Federal crimes are prosecuted by high-level prosecutors, and as a result, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to match.
Here are common circumstances in Kansas City that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime occurred on federal property.
- The alleged victim was a federal government employee.
One other important note to be aware of: Dual Sovereignty. Under the United States’ dual sovereignty doctrine, you can be charged with some crimes in both federal and state courts.
If your case qualifies for this, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both local connections in Kansas City and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Kansas City Murder Charge Defenses
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Here are some of the options we’ll consider:
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You Need a Leading Kansas City Murder Defense Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte. Call Now.
A murder charge can ruin your life. But the right murder defense lawyer can save it. At Combs Waterkotte, we know what it takes to successfully defend murder charges. We will listen to your story. We will defend you and battle for the best outcome possible.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to connect with a murder defense lawyer today.
