Murder Defense Lawyer, Cleveland, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life. Or if the prosecution and jury wish to impose it, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Cleveland, MO, the risks are high and your odds of a positive outcome are low.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. You have Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we won’t give up on your case and will explore every avenue to secure a positive outcome. We have defended thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
With us, you’re in good hands. You can start crafting your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or reaching out to us online. We’re ready 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Cleveland, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The defense process begins the moment you get in touch with your Cleveland, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can advise you on what to do when you interact with the police. Having a lawyer present during questioning goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you against pressing interrogation methods 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 face charges of armed criminal action or other violent crimes in addition to murder. In cases where the court sets pretrial release conditions for the defendant, this is usually also done at this time. The courts in Cleveland, MO, don’t often allow bail in murder cases, but, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
After the arraignment, your Cleveland, MO, homicide defense attorney will advise you on tactics you can use in your defense, if they haven’t picked out one previously that is a good fit for your case. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or you could have an alibi. Whatever defense works best for your case, your attorney will also talk to the state about 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. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. We stand by your side and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This even applies after the verdict, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy if applicable.
In summary, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Cleveland, MO:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Help you pick the best defensive strategy for your case
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An experienced team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Cases Will a Cleveland, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when hiring a Cleveland, MO, murder defense lawyer, it’s important that they understand exactly what the accusations are.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Cleveland, Missouri. To learn more about what they are, read the breakdowns below.:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder is defined in Missouri as the deliberate taking of another person’s life, after planning for it. Defenses against first-degree murder in Cleveland, MO, sometimes will hinge on whether or not the death was intentional or preplanned.
The sentence for first-degree murder is either the death sentence or a life sentence in prison without a chance for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder is still a very serious crime in Missouri. There are multiple ways a person can be accused of second-degree murder:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, 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 closely related, but normally differ in one key area: Intentions. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender purposely caused the death of the alleged victim, and there was no excuse.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – even if someone accidentally caused the death of another person, they can still be convicted of manslaughter. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Cleveland, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Committing what would ordinarilybe second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
As a Class B Felony, a person convicted of voluntary manslaughter 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.
Ordinarilly, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (either a targeted police officer or a close family member), the sentence 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 (which means being unaware of a risk that a normal person would be aware of) and having someone die as a result.
This crime is generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special victims.
To recap the information above, you can use the table below as a quick reference on the different murder/manslaughter charges in Missouri:
| Murder/Manslaughter Charge | Description | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| First-Degree Murder | Intentionally killing someone, using a plan. | Death penalty or life in prison |
| Second-Degree Murder | Intentionally killing someone, in the heat of the moment, 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 commit suicide | 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, alleged offenders can face countless collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in Cleveland. When you call us, you get a Cleveland, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
What You Need in a Cleveland, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
When you need a superb murder defense lawyer in Cleveland, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Cleveland, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with dignity and always be honest with you. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- A history of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Cleveland, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Dismissive or cold 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 Cleveland, MO, 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 because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to match.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Cleveland, MO:
- The alleged crime took place in two different states.
- The alleged crime happened in a place owned by the federal government.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
Even if you are found innocent in federal court, you may not be out of the woods yet. This is because of an important policy: 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 can fall under dual sovereignty, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both local connections in Cleveland, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Cleveland, MO Murder Charges
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Follow are some of the options we’ll consider:
- Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
- Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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Combs Waterkotte’s Cleveland, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers are Ready for Your Case
Being accused of homicide in Cleveland, MO, can be devestating. Without help, it can derail your entire life. But you do have help available. Combs Waterkotte’s murder defense lawyers will explore every option available to secure a positive outcome for you. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will represent you and battle for the best outcome possible.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Speak with a lawyer any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to get started now.
