Homicide Lawyer Franklin County, MO

Homicide lawyer in Franklin County, MO. Facing a homicide charge in Franklin County, MO is one of the most severe legal challenges anyone can encounter. These charges carry serious consequences, including lengthy prison sentences or even the death penalty. If you have been accused of homicide in Franklin County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need to speak with an experienced homicide lawyer right away.

Contact Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, one-on-one consultation. You’ll have the chance to discuss the specifics of your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Our seasoned team has successfully handled over 10,000 cases just like yours.

Homicide Charges in Franklin County, MO and Across Missouri

Homicide charges can differ significantly based on the circumstances surrounding the act and the intent behind it. Understanding the various types of homicide charges in Franklin County, MO that may apply is crucial:

First-Degree Murder

The most serious of homicide charges, first-degree murder involves a premeditated, intentional killing. This is class A felony, often carrying life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole, or even the death penalty depending on the circumstances.

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder refers to an intentional killing that lacks premeditation. Also categorized as a class A felony, this crime can lead to prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years, or potentially life. Unlike first-degree murder, those convicted may be eligible for parole after serving at least 85 percent of their sentence.

Manslaughter:

Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of someone without the intent to end their life. It can be categorized as voluntary – triggered by a sudden emotional reaction – or involuntary – resulting from careless or reckless actions. This offense is classified as a class B or class C felony.

Vehicular Manslaughter

This charge involves causing the death of another through reckless or negligent driving. The charges can vary from a misdemeanor to a felony, with penalties depending on whether drugs, alcohol, or extreme recklessness were factors.

What Should I Do If I’m Charged with Homicide in Franklin County, MO?

Homicide refers to the act of one individual causing the death of another. However, not all instances of homicide quality as murder; some may be classified as manslaughter, while others may be deemed lawful, such as cases involving an affirmative defense like self-defense or insanity.

If you’re accused of homicide in Franklin County, MO, it is a serious matter. Knowing what to do after being questioned, arrested, or indicted is crucial, and our skilled Franklin County, MO homicide legal team suggests you take the following steps:

• Hire an Attorney: Engaging a skilled Combs Waterkotte homicide attorney on your side in Franklin County, MO as early as possible is critical to getting a successful outcome. A good lawyer can help review police reports, gather critical evidence, talk to witnesses, and create a robust defense strategy. They can also look for potential ways to get your charges reduced or outright dismissed, or plan an effective, winning trial strategy. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
• Remain Silent: When police say “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law” during the reading of your Miranda rights, heed their warning. Making statements during investigations could potentially change the outcome of your case and give prosecutors ample material to prove guilt. Having a good criminal defense lawyer in Franklin County, MO is critical in this regard, as you would want to tell the truth but in the correct way.
• Understand You are Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Sadly, in our current climate, being accused of a crime can lead many to presume your guilty. This stigma can negatively affect your mental health and make you consider things that you would never do under better circumstances. Thankfully, your Combs Waterkotte Franklin County, MO homicide attorney understands what you are going through.

The Significance of Choosing a Combs Waterkotte Homicide Lawyer in Franklin County, MO

If you’re facing homicide charges, the stakes are incredibly high in Franklin County, MO. It’s critical not to leave your future to chance or to rely on a lawyer whose name you saw on a billboard or bus stop. Securing a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can be the difference between a reduced sentence or freedom and a life behind bars. Here’s how the Combs Waterkotte homicide legal team helps in Franklin County, MO:

• Thorough Case Analysis: Our homicide legal team will launch a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the facts of the case, examining police reports, forensic data, witness testimonies, and any other material. They may also collaborate with private investigators and expert witnesses to challenge the prosecution’s case.
• Identify Flaws in the Prosecution’s Case: Our relentless homicide attorneys will meticulously analyze every detail of the case to uncover any flaws in the prosecution’s evidence. Identifying these weaknesses could lead to a dismissal of charges, a reduction in charges, or a successful acquittal.
• Make Sure Your Rights Weren’t Violated: You have certain rights guaranteed by Franklin County, MO and Missouri law, as well as by the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. These rights are essential for ensuring a fair and impartial justice system. Unfortunately, our Franklin County, MO criminal defense attorneys have witnessed many instances where clients’ rights were compromised. We do everything in our power to protect your rights and future. Three of the most violated rights in Franklin County, MO homicide arrests and interrogations are:
  • Violations of Due Process: When you are accused of homicide or any crime, you are entitled to due process, ensuring fair treatment in the legal system. This includes being informed of the charges against you and having the chance to respond. You also have the right to an unbiased judge or jury to evaluate your guilt or innocence. Prosecutors must provide all exculpatory evidence. Withholding it is a violation of your due process rights.
  • Failure to Provide the Miranda Warning: In the landmark case of Miranda v. Arizona, the U.S. Supreme Court established that police must inform you of your rights before conducting any questioning. This includes the right to remain silent, your right to a lawyer, as well as a warning that anything you say can be used against you in court. Officers are only required to read your Miranda rights if they are detaining you and intend to use your statements in a court of law. While you can waive these rights, it’s not advisable. Instead, assert your right to remain silent and contact a Combs Waterkotte homicide lawyer right away at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online.
  • Unlawful Searches and Seizures: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police must have reasonable doubt to stop or investigate you in Franklin County, MO and elsewhere, and must possess probable cause for an arrest. This means they must present factual evidence to support their belief that a crime was or is being committed. If evidence is obtained through an illegal search, it may be excluded from court.
• Secure Expert Testimony: Combs Waterkotte has access to a diverse network of skilled professionals in the Franklin County, MO area, including forensic scientists, ballistics specialists, and medical examiners. Our attorneys can call these experts to dispute critical factors in your case, including the cause of death.
• Negotiate Lesser Charges: A talented and proactive Franklin County, MO homicide attorney can negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or penalties in exchange for a plea to a lesser offense, especially if the evidence against you is overwhelming. At Combs Waterkotte, our lawyers prioritize your interests, guiding you while allowing you to make the final decision.

When you are accused of homicide in or around Franklin County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal homicide lawyer in Franklin County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert criminal defense from our experienced homicide attorneys, our entire legal team provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Franklin County and beyond:

• Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans

Contact a Skilled Franklin County, MO Homicide Lawyer Now at Combs Waterkotte

As homicide in Franklin County, MO is a serious felony offense, anyone facing such charges should connect with a homicide lawyer in Franklin County, MO immediately. Our experienced legal team is well-versed in Missouri laws and is dedicated to working tirelessly to have your charges reduced or dismissed. If you’re facing a homicide charge in or around Franklin County, MO, don’t wait.

Get in touch with a skilled Combs Waterkotte homicide lawyer in Franklin County, MO today to protect your rights, your future, and to secure the best possible defense. Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, no-obligation case review.