Murder Defense Lawyer, Clinton, MO. If you were looking for the worst crime penalties in Missouri, you’d want to start with the punishment for murder. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Clinton, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. 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 defended thousands of cases, including many just like yours.
With us, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start building your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re ready 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Clinton, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The battle for your case begins as soon as you get in touch with your Clinton, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your lawyer can give you tips on the best way to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in your corner when you interact with investigators goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you against interrogation methods and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
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. In cases where the court sets pretrial release conditions for the defendant, this is usually also done at this time. Bail is commonly denied in Clinton, MO, murder cases. However, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your Clinton, 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 you could have an alibi. Regardless of the strategy, your attorney will also talk to the state about 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, ferocious defense and will use it to defend you all the way to the final verdict. 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 needed.
In summary, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Clinton, MO:
- Protect your rights during interrogations
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Decide on a defense that best fits the unique factors of your case
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
Don’t try to go through the Clinton, MO court system alone. An experienced lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Cases Will a Clinton, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when hiring a Clinton, 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 Clinton, Missouri. To learn more about what they are, read the breakdowns below.:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder has three specific elements in Missouri: 1. Someone was killed, 2. It was on purpose, and 3. The alleged killer planned to do so ahead of time. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
The potential punishment after a conviction is either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without a chance 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 a different 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 similar, but normally are distinguished by one thing: Intentions. In most Clinton, 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 Clinton, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Committing what would be second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- Helping someone take their own life.
As a Class B Felony, you can 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.
Ordinarilly, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (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 is similar to first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent in such a way that causes someone’s death.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction is typically 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, using a plan. | 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 |
In addition to going to prison, alleged offenders can face countless collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you work with us, you get a Clinton, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Clinton, MO
If you’re looking for a superb murder defense lawyer in Clinton, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 Clinton, 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 victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Clinton, 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:
- No experience with your charges
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Arrogant 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.
What Turns a Clinton, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
State murder charges are dangerous on their own. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and as a result, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to match.
Here are common circumstances in Clinton, MO, that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime happened in a place owned by the federal government.
- The alleged victim worked for the federal government.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Clinton, MO: Dual Sovereignty. The United States allows several criminal charges, often including murder, to be tried in both state and federal court.
If your case can fall under dual sovereignty, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both local connections in Clinton, MO, and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Clinton, MO Murder Charges
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Below are some of the defenses we’ll consider:
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Clinton, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Fighting a murder charge in Clinton, MO, isn’t something you can take lightly. You need a team of attorneys that can protect your freedom. When you don’t know what to do, Combs Waterkotte is ready to guide you. We will listen to your story. We will defend you and fight for your freedom.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Speak with one of our representatives now at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to start fighting your case.
