Gun crime lawyer in Dardenne Prairie, MO. Missouri gun laws, while relatively lenient, still carry severe penalties for violations. Even with a legally obtained firearm, specific circumstances can lead to criminal charges in Dardenne Prairie, MO. Knowing these situations is essential for protecting your rights and your future.
If you’re charged with a gun crime in Dardenne Prairie, MO – whether for unlawful possession, displaying a firearm, or using a gun during another offense – hiring a skilled gun crime lawyer in Dardenne Prairie is your first step toward protecting your freedom.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation where you can discuss the specifics of your case with an expert Dardenne Prairie, MO criminal defense attorney. The Combs Waterkotte legal team has over 40 years of experience and has successfully handled more than 10,000 cases just like yours.
Dardenne Prairie, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: An Overview of Missouri Gun Laws
While Dardenne Prairie, MO upholds the constitutional right to bear arms, allowing open carry and issuing concealed carry permits under defined conditions, there are important restrictions to be aware of:
- Unlawful Use: Brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner or using it in criminal activities can result in severe penalties.
- Restricted Zones: Carrying firearms in schools, courthouses, and certain private properties is prohibited without express permission.
- Disqualified Individuals: Convicted felons, individuals with certain domestic violence convictions, and those under orders of protection may not own or possess firearms.
Dardenne Prairie, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Understanding Gun Crimes in Missouri
The skillful and experienced Combs Waterkotte legal team handles a variety of gun crimes in Dardenne Prairie, MO, including:
Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Unlawful use of a weapon refers to a range of offenses involving firearms in Dardenne Prairie, MO. These include:
- Firing a weapon in restricted areas or under the influence of alcohol.
- Displaying a firearm in a menacing or threatening way.
- Carrying a concealed weapon in or around Dardenne Prairie, MO without proper authorization.
- Possessing firearms in places where they are prohibited.
- Use of a weapon while committing a crime, like robbery or assault in the Dardenne Prairie, MO area.
- Making illegal alterations or attachments to firearms.
Potential penalties range in severity from a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1,000, to a Class A felony, which carries a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years or even life in prison.
Facing unlawful use of a weapon charges in Dardenne Prairie, MO can lead to serious penalties, including a permanent loss of your firearm rights. A skilled Combs Waterkotte gun crime lawyer can help. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online.
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Missouri Revised Statute § 571.070 outlines the circumstances under which possession of a firearm becomes unlawful, including:
- Possession by a Felon
- Underage Possession
- Possession by Certain Offenders
- Federal Firearm Restrictions
In Missouri, unlawful firearm possession is typically classified as a Class C felony, unless an individual has been convicted of a dangerous felony or has a prior unlawful possession conviction in Dardenne Prairie, MO, in which case it becomes a Class B felony.
If you’re facing these charges, a qualified Dardenne Prairie, MO Combs Waterkotte criminal defense attorney can analyze your case, challenge the evidence, and work to protect your rights.
Armed Criminal Action
Armed criminal action in Dardenne Prairie, MO involves using, displaying, or possessing a weapon during the commission of a felony. Armed criminal action is not a standalone charge, but an enhancement to a felony, such as robbery, drug trafficking, assault, or burglary. For example, committing assault with a weapon could lead to both assault and armed criminal action charges.
Missouri law treats armed criminal action as a separate felony with mandatory sentencing requirements – 3 years for a first offense, 5 years for a second, and 10 years for a third. These stringent penalties require the expertise of an experienced Dardenne Prairie, MO defense lawyer who can:
- Investigate the circumstances of your case.
- Negotiate plea deals to reduce or eliminate the Dardenne Prairie, MO armed criminal action charge.
- Create a customized defense strategy to challenge the charges effectively in Dardenne Prairie, MO.
Unlawful Transfer of Weapons
Under Missouri law, the unlawful transfer of weapons occurs when firearms or other weapons are sold, leased, or given to individuals prohibited from owning or possessing them due to legal restrictions.
This offense can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor or a Class E felony, depending on the circumstances of the case. If you’re facing these allegations, securing an experienced Combs Waterkotte gun crime lawyer in Dardenne Prairie, MO is essential to pursue the best outcome for your case. Contact us today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online.
Possession of a Defaced Firearm
Possessing a firearm with defaced markings, such as removed or altered serial numbers, is a criminal offense. Authorities in Dardenne Prairie, MO consider possession of a defaced firearm a serious matter due to its association with criminal activity, including stolen weapons. Under Missouri law, this offense is classified as a Class B misdemeanor.
St. Charles County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Charles County and Missouri.
Dardenne Prairie, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Facing Federal Gun Crimes in Missouri
Federal firearm charges throughout the Dardenne Prairie, MO area carry grave consequences, often resulting in substantial penalties, including mandatory prison sentences and hefty fines. Federal charges typically arise in Dardenne Prairie, MO gun crimes when:
- The crime involves crossing state lines.
- Weapons are used in federal offenses like drug smuggling, acts of terrorism, or violent interstate offenses.
- Cases include serious factors such as organized crime affiliations or large-scale arms trafficking.
Dardenne Prairie, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Fighting Gun Crime Charges in Missouri With Combs Waterkotte
When facing gun crime charges in Dardenne Prairie, MO, the experienced attorneys at Combs Waterkotte rely on well-established defense strategies to protect your rights. Some of the most effective approaches include:
- Lack of Knowledge or Intent
In many Dardenne Prairie, MO gun crimes, the prosecution must demonstrate that you knowingly committed the offense. Our expert legal team may argue that you were unaware of the firearm’s presence or that there was no deliberate intent to violate the law. - Unreasonable Search & Seizure
Improper conduct by law enforcement, such as illegal searches or seizures, can result in evidence being inadmissible in Dardenne Prairie, MO. If your Fourth Amendment rights were violated, this can form the basis for a strong defense. - Self-Defense
Missouri law allows the use of force, including deadly force, in self-defense if you reasonably believed you were in imminent danger of harm or death and the use of force was necessary to prevent that harm.
If you are accused of a gun crime in Dardenne Prairie, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring a leading gun crime lawyer in Dardenne Prairie, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert criminal defense from our esteemed gun crime attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Dardenne Prairie, MO residents:
Dardenne Prairie, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Reasons to Hire a Gun Crime Lawyer in Missouri
A gun crime conviction in Dardenne Prairie, MO can result in imprisonment, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. Hiring an experienced gun crime lawyer in Dardenne Prairie, MO ensures your case is handled with expertise, compassion, and diligence. Combs Waterkotte provides:
- Thorough Evidence Review: Our attorneys carefully examine evidence, police records, and witness statements to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments.
- Customized Defense Planning: Using in-depth knowledge of Dardenne Prairie, MO, state, and federal gun laws, we design a defense strategy specifically suited to your case.
- Personable Negotiation Skills: Skilled negotiation can often result in reduced charges, lighter sentencing, or alternative sentencing like probation.
- Dedicated Courtroom Advocacy: Should your case go to trial, your lawyer will advocate aggressively to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome.
Gun Crime Charges in Dardenne Prairie, MO? Let the Combs Waterkotte Experts Help You Defend Your Case Today
If you’re dealing with gun crime allegations in or around Dardenne Prairie, MO, don’t wait to seek legal help. The sooner you consult a knowledgeable gun crime lawyer, the better your chances of building a strong defense and securing the best possible outcome. Protect your rights, your future, and get the professional legal guidance you need during this challenging time.
Contact Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP right away or reach out online for a free case review with a Dardenne Prairie, MO gun crime lawyer.