Murder Defense Lawyer, Kearney, MO. 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 Kearney, MO, the risks are high and your odds of a positive outcome are low.
But there is another way forward. You can call Combs Waterkotte. As one of the premier 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 fought thousands of cases, including many just like yours.
When you work with our team, you’re getting expert legal advice from day one. You can start crafting your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our contact form online. We’re available 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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Ways Your Kearney, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The battle for your case begins the moment you contact your Kearney, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your attorney can advise you on the best way to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer in the room when you interact with investigators is more than just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you from advanced interrogation techniques and providing responses that strengthen your story.
After the arrest (and typically questioning), you’ll be given an arraignment hearing, where you are formally charged with a crime. In many cases, murder won’t be the only charge. Frequently, defendants will also 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. Bail is commonly denied in Kearney, MO, murder cases. However, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
After the arraignment, your Kearney, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t picked out one previously that is a good fit for your case. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or you could have an alibi. Whatever defense works best for your case, your attorney will also explore options for plea negotiations to see if they can get the prosecution to lower or drop charges.
If the negotiations don’t work, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, ferocious defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We stick with you and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy if needed.
In summary, when you work with a leading Kearney, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Decide on a defense that best fits the unique factors of your case
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Kearney, MO legal process without a guide. An expert lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Cases Will a Kearney, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when hiring a Kearney, MO, 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 Kearney, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder in Missouri consists of killing another person on purpose, with a plan. 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 an option for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder has a wider definition than first-degree murder in Missouri. It includes:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, then unintentionally killing them, and
- Trying to commit a different 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 typically differ in one key area: Intentions. To find someone guilty of murder, normally the state has to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed the alleged victim, and it wasn’t in self-defense or another special circumstance.
For a person to be convicted of manslaughter, whether or not the alleged victim was killed on purpose doesn’t matter as much – in cases where death resulted but was unintentional, it’s common for the alleged offender to face manslaughter charges. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Kearney, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Committing what would normally be second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- Helping someone take their own life.
As a Class B Felony, you may be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter is the first of these charges to not include any form of intentionality in the crime.
Ordinarilly, 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 and having someone die as a result.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter is generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for certain 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, 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, alleged offenders can face numerous collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you work with one of our attorneys, you get a Kearney, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Kearney, MO
When you need a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Kearney, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Kearney, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with respect and always be honest with you. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- A track record of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Kearney, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
On the contrary, it’s also important to keep an eye out for red flags that should tell you to think twice before working with a given lawyer:
- Lack of experience with murder charges
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Arrogant or disinterested attitude
- No real ideas on what your defense will look like
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 Kearney, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
Any murder charge is serious. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by some of the best prosecutors, and when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to match.
Here are common circumstances in Kearney, MO, that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- 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 government employee.
One other important note to be aware of: Dual Sovereignty. The United States allows several criminal charges, often including murder, to be tried in both state and federal court.
If your case can fall under dual sovereignty, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both local connections in Kearney, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Kearney, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Below are some of the possibilities we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Kearney, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Being accused of homicide in Kearney, MO, can be devestating. Without help, it can derail your entire life. But you do have help available. At Combs Waterkotte, we know what it takes to successfully defend murder charges. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will tell your side of the story and battle for the best outcome possible.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Speak with an attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to protect yourself.
