Murder Defense Lawyer, Camden Point, MO. Murder charges are arguably the most serious criminal charges you can face in Missouri. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Camden Point, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you’re not alone. You have 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 many just like yours.
With us, you’re in good hands. You can start building your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re prepared to assist 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Camden Point, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The battle for your case starts as soon as you first call your Camden Point, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can advise you on the best way to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer present while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you from advanced interrogation methods and providing responses that strengthen your story.
After the arrest (and typically questioning), you’ll be given an arraignment hearing, where you are formally charged with a crime. It’s possible that you’ll face charges of armed criminal action or other violent crimes in addition to murder. If a bail amount is given, this is usually also done at this time. The courts in Camden Point, 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.
Once you’ve made it through your arraignment, your Camden Point, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t picked out one previously that is a good fit for your case. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Regardless of the strategy, your lawyer will also explore options for plea negotiations to see if they can get the prosecution to lower or drop charges.
If the state won’t offer a deal that works for you, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, powerful defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We stand by your side and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This even applies after the verdict, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy if needed.
In summary, when you work with a leading Camden Point, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- Protect your rights during interrogations
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Decide on a defense that best fits the unique factors of your case
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Camden Point, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Camden Point, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when you work with a Camden Point, 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 Camden Point, 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. 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 the possibility of parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder is still a very serious crime in Missouri. There are multiple ways a person can be accused of second-degree murder:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then killing them on accident, and
- Trying to commit a different felony, if someone dies in the process.
As a Class A Felony, you can face a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years, or life.
Murder vs. Manslaughter in Missouri
Murder and manslaughter are similar, but normally one thing sets them apart: Intentions. To find someone guilty of murder, normally the state has to prove that the alleged offender purposely caused the death of the alleged victim, and there was no excuse.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Camden Point, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Taking a life in what would be second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- 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 is the first of these charges to not include any form of intentionality in the crime.
Normally, 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), it can be increased to a Class B Felony.
Second-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
Second-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter also involves the unintentional taking of human life. 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.
This crime is generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for certain victims.
To recap the information above, you can use the table below as a quick reference on the different murder/manslaughter charges in Missouri:
| 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, in the heat of the moment, 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, you can face numerous collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Camden Point clients against all of the above charges. When you call us, you get a Camden Point, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Camden Point, MO
When you’re looking for a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Camden Point, 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 Camden Point, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you well and have a plan for how to handle your case. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- Prior experience with your charges
- A history of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Camden Point, 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
- High promises, to the point of being unrealistic
- Dismissive or apathetic attitude
- Unorganized or vague plan for how to help you
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 Camden Point, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by some of the best prosecutors, and when you’re facing 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 Camden Point, MO:
- The alleged crime took place near a state border or across a border.
- The alleged crime happened in a place owned by the federal government.
- The alleged victim was a federal government employee.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Camden Point, MO: Dual Sovereignty. Under the United States’ dual sovereignty doctrine, you can be charged with some crimes in both federal and state courts.
If your case qualifies for this, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Camden Point, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Camden Point, MO Murder Charges
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer will commonly evaluate. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Follow are some of the defenses we’ll consider:
- Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
- 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 Camden Point, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
A murder charge can ruin your life. But the right murder defense lawyer can save it. At Combs Waterkotte, we know what it takes to successfully defend murder charges. We don’t judge; we listen. We will defend you and protect your rights.
Act fast before it’s too late. Talk to one of our lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to protect yourself.
