Murder Defense Lawyer, Blue Valley, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But there is another way forward. 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 experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
With us, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start creating your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our contact form online. We’re available 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Blue Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The battle for your case starts as soon as you contact your Blue Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can train you on how to interact with the police. Having a lawyer present when you interact with investigators is more than just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you from advanced interrogation methods and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
Most of the time in Blue Valley, MO, murder cases go through the same first few steps in the system: Arrest, questioning, and arraignment. The arraignment is a time when the state formally tells you what laws they think you’ve violated. In many cases, murder won’t be the only charge. Frequently, defendants will also be charged with armed criminal action or other violent crimes in addition to murder. If a bail amount is given, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Blue Valley, MO, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
After the arraignment, your Blue Valley, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever method you go with, your lawyer will also talk to the state about plea negotiations to see if your charges and/or sentence can be reduced.
If the prosecution refuses to negotiate, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers 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 even applies after the verdict, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy if applicable.
In summary, your Blue Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
You don’t want to try and go through the Blue Valley, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced attorney like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Charges Does a Blue Valley, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when hiring a Blue Valley, 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 will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Blue Valley, Missouri. To learn more about what they are, read the breakdowns below.:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder in Missouri consists of killing another person on purpose, with a plan. Accidental deaths or impulsive actions do not qualify for first-degree murder charges in Missouri.
The potential punishment after a conviction is either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without an option for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder can result from more situations than first-degree murder. These include:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then killing them on accident, and
- Attempting to commit another felony, if someone dies in the process.
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 closely related, but typically differ in one key area: Intentions. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed the alleged victim, without exculpatory circumstances.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – even if someone accidentally caused the death of another person, they can still be convicted of manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Blue Valley, 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 supposed offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
As a Class B Felony, a person convicted of voluntary manslaughter may be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter does not include the intentional taking of another person’s life. Instead, Missouri defines it as causing someone’s death by acting recklessly.
Ordinarilly, this is a Class C Felony, but if the alleged victim falls into a specific category (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 still involves one person killing another person on accident. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent and having someone die as a result.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction is generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special victims.
Below, we’ve summarized the definitions and penalties for Missouri’s different murder and manslaughter charges:
| Murder/Manslaughter Charge | Description | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| First-Degree Murder | Intentionally killing someone, with planning. | 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 suffer countless collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in Blue Valley. When you work with us, you get a Blue Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows all the approaches to take in search of a positive outcome for your case.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Blue Valley, MO
When you’re looking for a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Blue Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with dignity and tell you your best paths forward. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- A track record of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Blue Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
When speaking with potential attorneys for your case, beware of red flags that could cause issues down the road:
- No experience with your charges
- High promises, to the point of being unrealistic
- Dismissive or disinterested 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.
When Do Blue Valley, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
Any murder charge is serious. But they pale in comparison to federal charges. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to match.
For a federal prosecutor to take a murder case over from the Blue Valley, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal government employee.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Blue Valley, MO: Dual Sovereignty. While you generally can’t be put on trial twice for the same crime, dual sovereignty doctrine allows this for most murder charges, if they are tried once in federal court and once in state court.
If your case qualifies for this, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both intimate knowledge of local Blue Valley, MO, courts and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Blue Valley, MO
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer will commonly evaluate. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Follow are some of the strategies we’ll consider:
- Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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You Need a Leading Blue Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte. Call Now.
Being accused of homicide in Blue Valley, MO, can be devestating. Without help, it can derail your entire life. But you do have help available. When you don’t know what to do, Combs Waterkotte is ready to guide you. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will work in concert with you and protect your rights.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Contact us any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to start fighting your case.
