Gun crime lawyer in Jasper County, 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 Jasper County, MO. Knowing these situations is essential for protecting your rights and your future.
If you’re charged with a gun crime in Jasper County, MO – whether for unlawful possession, displaying a firearm, or using a gun during another offense – hiring a skilled gun crime lawyer in Jasper County is your first step toward protecting your freedom.
Don’t wait – call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation. Work with an expert criminal defense attorney who has the expertise to help in Jasper County, MO. The Combs Waterkotte has more than 40 years of experience and has successfully handled over 10,000 cases just like yours.
Jasper County, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Missouri Gun Laws
Missouri recognizes the constitutional right to bear arms, allowing open carry and granting concealed carry permits under specific conditions. However, the state imposes restrictions in several areas:
- Improper Use: Displaying a firearm in a threatening way or using it during the commission of a crime can result in serious legal consequences.
- 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.
Jasper County, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Understanding Gun Crimes in Missouri
The skillful and experienced Combs Waterkotte legal team handles a variety of gun crimes in Jasper County, MO, including:
Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Unlawful use of a weapon is one of the most common charges in Missouri, encompassing a variety of situations in Jasper County, MO, including:
- Discharging a firearm in certain areas, including firing a gun while intoxicated.
- Displaying a firearm in a menacing or threatening way.
- Carrying concealed weapons in Jasper County, MO without proper permission.
- Possessing a firearm in Jasper County, MO prohibited areas.
- Using a weapon during the commission of a crime, like robbery or assault in the Jasper County, 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 life in prison.
If you’re facing unlawful use of a weapon charges in Jasper County, MO, it’s essential to have a knowledgeable and experienced attorney by your side. A skilled Combs Waterkotte gun crime lawyer can help you understand the charges against you, your options, and fight for the best possible outcome.
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 Restrictions
In Missouri, unlawful firearm possession is typically classified as a Class C felony, unless the individual has been convicted of a dangerous felony or has a prior unlawful possession conviction in Jasper County, MO, in which case it becomes a Class B felony.
If you’re facing these charges, a qualified Jasper County, MO Combs Waterkotte criminal defense attorney can evaluate your case, scrutinize the evidence, and work to protect your freedom.
Armed Criminal Action
Armed criminal action is a serious offense in Jasper County, MO involving the use, display, or possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony. This charge enhances the severity of the primary 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.
Armed criminal action in Jasper County, MO is classified as a separate felony with strict mandatory minimum sentences: 3 years for a first offense, 5 years for a second, and 10 years for a third. These penalties highlight the importance of having an experienced criminal defense attorney who can:
- Thoroughly examine the facts and evidence in your case.
- Negotiate plea deals to reduce or eliminate the Jasper County, MO armed criminal action charge.
- Create a customized defense strategy to challenge the charges effectively in Jasper County, MO.
Unlawful Transfer of Weapons
The unlawful transfer of weapons in Jasper County, MO refers to the act of selling, leasing, loaning, giving away, or otherwise providing firearms or other weapons to individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing them.
Depending on the situation, charges for an unlawful transfer of weapons can be a Class A misdemeanor or escalate to a Class E felony. If you’re charged with this crime, an experienced Combs Waterkotte Jasper County, MO gun crime lawyer can assess your case, protect your legal rights, and fight for a favorable result. Call (314) 900-HELP right now or reach out online.
Possession of a Defaced Firearm
A defaced firearm is one where identifying markings, like the serial number, have been intentionally altered, removed, or obliterated. The offense of possession of a defaced firearm is taken seriously, as these weapons are often linked to crimes in Jasper County, MO. This offense is categorized as a Class B misdemeanor.
Jasper County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jasper County and Missouri.
Jasper County, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Facing Federal Gun Crimes in Missouri
Federal firearm charges throughout the Jasper County, MO area carry grave consequences, often resulting in substantial penalties, including mandatory prison sentences and hefty fines. Federal charges typically arise in Jasper County, MO gun crimes when:
- The crime spans across state borders.
- The firearm was used in a federal crime, such as drug trafficking, terrorism, or a violent offense crossing state lines.
- Cases include serious factors such as organized crime affiliations or large-scale arms trafficking.
Jasper County, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Fighting Gun Crime Charges in Missouri With Combs Waterkotte
Here are a few common defenses for gun crimes the Combs Waterkotte Jasper County, MO criminal defense lawyers use against charges:
- Lack of Knowledge or Intent
In many Jasper County, 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 Jasper County, MO. If your Fourth Amendment rights were violated, this can form the basis for a strong defense. - Self-Defense
Jasper County, MO laws allow 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 Jasper County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you aren’t just choosing a top-rated gun crime lawyer in Jasper County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert criminal defense from our experienced gun crime attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Jasper County, MO residents:
Jasper County, MO Gun Crime Lawyer: Reasons to Hire a Combs Waterkotte Gun Crime Lawyer
A gun crime conviction in Jasper County, MO can result in imprisonment, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. Hiring an experienced gun crime lawyer in Jasper County, MO ensures your case receives professional attention and a strategic approach. Combs Waterkotte offers:
- Comprehensive Case Analysis: Our attorneys carefully examine evidence, police records, and witness statements to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
- Customized Defense Planning: Our knowledgeable lawyers understand Jasper County, MO, Missouri, and federal gun laws, and can craft a defense tailored to your unique circumstances.
- Negotiation Experise: Skilled negotiation can often result in reduced charges, lighter sentencing, or alternative sentencing like probation.
- Dedicated Courtroom Advocacy: If your Jasper County, MO case proceeds to court, our experienced gun crime lawyers will fight vigorously to defend your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.
Facing a Gun Crime in Jasper County, MO? Call an Expert Gun Crime Lawyer at Combs Waterkotte Today
If you’re dealing with gun crime allegations in or around Jasper County, MO, don’t delay securing expert legal representation. Acting quickly can significantly improve your ability to build a compelling defense and get the best possible outcome. Take proactive steps to protect your future with the guidance of experienced legal professionals.
Contact Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free case review with a Jasper County, MO gun crime lawyer.