Murder Defense Lawyer, Pleasant Hill, MO. It’s hard to think of a worse thing to be accused of than murder. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life. Or if the prosecution and jury wish to impose it, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Pleasant Hill, MO, you could be risking everything.
But you’re not alone. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. As one of the premier criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we fight to protect our clients’ rights and freedom. We have defended thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
When you contact our lawyers, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start crafting your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our contact form online. We’re available 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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Ways Your Pleasant Hill, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The defense process starts as soon as you get in touch with your Pleasant Hill, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your lawyer can give you tips on what to do when you interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in your corner when you interact with investigators goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you against 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. The courts in Pleasant Hill, MO, don’t often allow bail in murder cases, but, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your Pleasant Hill, 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. You could have been acting in defense of others, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever defense works best for your case, your lawyer will also explore options for plea negotiations to see if your charges and/or sentence can be reduced.
If the negotiations don’t work, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, powerful defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. 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 as needed.
In summary, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Pleasant Hill, MO:
- Protect your rights during interrogations
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Help you pick the best defensive strategy for your case
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Represent you during a trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
You don’t want to try and go through the Pleasant Hill, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Charges Does a Pleasant Hill, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when you work with a Pleasant Hill, MO, murder defense lawyer, it’s important that they know how to fight the specific law you’re accused of breaking.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are prepared to defend against any types of murder charges in Pleasant Hill, 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. Defenses against first-degree murder in Pleasant Hill, 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 the possibility of 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 in an attempt to severely injure them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Attempting to commit a different felony, if it causes someone’s death.
As a Class A Felony, potential sentences for second-degree murder in Missouri include prison for 10 to 30 years, or life.
Murder vs. Manslaughter in Missouri
Murder and manslaughter are similar, but normally are distinguished by one thing: 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.
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 Pleasant Hill, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Taking a life in what would normally be 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 can be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter is still a serious charge in Pleasant Hill, MO, but does not consist of killing another person on purpose.
Normally, 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 and having someone die as a result.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter is ordinarily a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for certain 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, 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 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 suffer countless collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Pleasant Hill clients against all of the above charges. When you call one of our attorneys, you get a Pleasant Hill, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
What You Need in a Pleasant Hill, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you need a superb murder defense lawyer in Pleasant Hill, 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 Pleasant Hill, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you well and always be honest with you. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- A history of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Pleasant Hill, 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
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Dismissive or cold attitude
- No real ideas on what your defense will look like
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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.
What Turns a Pleasant Hill, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Whatever court you’re in, being accused of murder is a big deal. But if it’s federal, that only makes things more extreme. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Pleasant Hill, MO:
- The alleged crime took place in two different states.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Pleasant Hill, MO: Dual Sovereignty. The United States allows several criminal charges, often including murder, to be tried in both state and federal court.
If you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both intimate knowledge of local Pleasant Hill, MO, courts and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Pleasant Hill, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Here are some of the strategies we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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This Decision Matters. Don’t Risk Your Life. Work With Combs Waterkotte’s Pleasant Hill, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
A murder charge can ruin your life. But the right murder defense lawyer can save it. Combs Waterkotte’s murder defense lawyers will explore every option available to secure a positive outcome for you. We will listen to your story. We will work in concert with you and protect your rights.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Contact us now at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to protect yourself.
