Murder Defense Lawyer, Blue Valley, MO. It’s hard to think of a worse thing to be accused of than murder. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, you could be risking everything.
But you have someone who can help. You have Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we fight to protect our clients’ rights and freedom. We have defended thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
With us, you’re in good hands. You can start creating your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our contact form online. We’re ready 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 begins as soon as you first call your Blue Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your lawyer can advise you on the best way to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer in your corner when you interact with investigators is more than just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you against pressing interrogation techniques 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. It’s common in Missouri for defendants to face charges of armed criminal action or other violent crimes alongside murder. In cases where bail is allowed, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. The courts in Blue Valley, 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 Blue Valley, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. You could have been acting in defense of others, or this is a case of mistaken identity. Regardless of the strategy, your attorney will also explore options for 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. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, ferocious 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 as needed.
In summary, your Blue Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
Don’t try to go through the Blue Valley, MO court system alone. An expert legal team like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path 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, you want one who knows how to defend your specific charges.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Blue Valley, Missouri. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder in Missouri consists of killing another person on purpose, with a plan. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
The sentence for first-degree murder is either the death sentence 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 with the goal of hurting them badly, then killing them on accident, and
- Attempting to commit another 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 closely related, but normally are distinguished by one thing: Intentions. In most Blue Valley, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender took the alleged victim’s life on purpose, and it wasn’t in self-defense or another special circumstance.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – in cases where death resulted but was unintentional, it’s common for the alleged offender to face manslaughter charges. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Blue Valley, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Committing what would normally be second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
As a Class B Felony, the alleged offender 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.
In most cases, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (either a targeted police officer or a close family member), it 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 in such a way that causes someone’s death.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter is generally 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, 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 commit suicide | 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 |
In addition to going to prison, you can face 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 the system inside and out.
What to Look For in Your Blue Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you need a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Blue Valley, 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 Blue Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you well and tell you your best paths forward. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Prior experience with your charges
- A history 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:
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 apathetic attitude
- A lack of planning on ways to fight your charges
Free book
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 Blue Valley, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But if it’s federal, that only makes things more extreme. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and as a result, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
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 worked for the federal government.
Even if you are found innocent in federal court, you may not be out of the woods yet. This is because of an important policy: 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 local connections in Blue Valley, MO, and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Blue Valley, MO
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, 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 defenses we’ll consider:
- Alibi
- Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
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 defend you and protect your rights.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to get started now.
