Murder Defense Lawyer, Braymer, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or in even more serious cases, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Braymer, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you’re not alone. You can call Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we won’t give up on your case and will explore every avenue to secure a positive outcome. We have fought thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
When you contact our lawyers, you’re getting expert legal advice from day one. You can start creating your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or sending us a note online. We’re ready 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Braymer, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The defense process begins as soon as you contact your Braymer, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your lawyer can advise you on what to do when you interact with the police. Having a lawyer by your side while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you from interrogation techniques and building your defense in multiple stages.
In most Braymer, MO criminal cases, there will be an arrest, interview, and arraignment. The arraignment is a time when the prosecution officially accuses you of a crime, in this case, murder. 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. In cases where the court sets pretrial release conditions for the defendant, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. The courts in Braymer, MO, don’t often allow bail in murder cases, but, we won’t just give in, and will argue for your pretrial release.
After the arraignment, your Braymer, MO, homicide defense attorney will recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or this is a case of mistaken identity. Whatever defense works best for your case, your lawyer will also be in contact with the prosecutor for plea negotiations to see if they can secure a positive outcome for you.
If the negotiations don’t work, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We don’t give up and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy as needed.
In summary, when you work with a leading Braymer, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- 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
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An experienced team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Cases Will a Braymer, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when hiring a Braymer, MO, murder defense lawyer, you want one who knows how to defend your specific charges.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are prepared to defend against any types of murder charges in Braymer, 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. Defenses against first-degree murder in Braymer, MO, sometimes will hinge on whether or not the death was intentional or preplanned.
If convicted, you can face either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder can result from more situations than first-degree murder. These include:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Trying to commit a different 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 similar, but generally one thing sets them apart: Intentions. In most Braymer, 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.
For a person to be convicted of manslaughter, whether or not the alleged victim was killed on purpose doesn’t matter as much – in cases where death resulted but was unintentional, it’s common for the alleged offender to face manslaughter charges. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Braymer, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter charges in Missouri fall into one of two categories:
- Killing someone in what would be second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Helping someone take their own life.
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.
Ordinarilly, 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 is similar to first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent (which means being unaware of a risk that a normal person would be aware of) and having someone die as a result.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction is ordinarily a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for certain 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, using a plan. | 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 take their own life | 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 |
Beyond a prison sentence, people can suffer numerous collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Braymer clients against all of the above charges. When you work with us, you get a Braymer, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Braymer, MO
When you’re looking for a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Braymer, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 Braymer, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you well and always be honest with you. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Prior experience with your charges
- A history of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Braymer, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
On the contrary, it’s also important to keep an eye out for red flags that should tell you to think twice before working with a given lawyer:
- Lack of experience with murder charges
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Dismissive or apathetic 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 Braymer, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
Whatever court you’re in, being accused of murder is a big deal. But they pale in comparison to federal charges. Federal crimes are prosecuted by high-level prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to match.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Braymer, MO:
- The alleged crime took place in two different states.
- The alleged crime happened in a place owned by the federal government.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Braymer, 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 can fall under dual sovereignty, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both intimate knowledge of local Braymer, MO, courts and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Braymer, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Follow are some of the options we’ll consider:
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Accused of Murder in Braymer, MO? The Murder Defense Lawyers at Combs Waterkotte Will Defend Your Rights
Being accused of homicide in Braymer, 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 don’t judge; we listen. We will work in concert with you and protect your rights.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to protect yourself.
