Murder Defense Lawyer, Dearborn, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Dearborn, MO, the risks are high and your odds of a positive outcome are low.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. You can call Combs Waterkotte. As one of the premier criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we are prepared to fight against any charges. We have fought thousands of cases, including many just like yours.
When you work with our team, 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 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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How a Murder Defense Lawyer Protects Your Freedom in Dearborn, MO
The fight for your freedom begins as soon as you get in touch with your Dearborn, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your lawyer can train you on what to do when you 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 against advanced interrogation techniques and building your defense in multiple stages.
Most of the time in Dearborn, 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 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 Dearborn, 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.
After the arraignment, your Dearborn, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t already been talking with you about them. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Regardless of the strategy, your attorney will also talk to the state about plea negotiations to see if they can secure a positive outcome for you.
If the state won’t offer a deal that works for you, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, ferocious defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We stick with you and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy as applicable.
In summary, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Dearborn, MO:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Help you pick the best defensive strategy for your case
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Dearborn, MO legal process without a guide. An expert lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Cases Will a Dearborn, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when hiring a Dearborn, 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 Dearborn, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder is defined in Missouri as the deliberate taking of another person’s life, after planning for it. Accidental deaths or impulsive actions do not qualify for first-degree murder charges in Missouri.
If convicted, you can face either the death sentence 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 going too far and taking their life, and
- Trying to commit another 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 typically one thing sets them apart: Intentions. In most Dearborn, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed 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. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Dearborn, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Taking a life in what would normally 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, 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 is the first of these charges to not include any form of intentionality in the crime.
Normally, 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 and having someone die as a result.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter is generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special 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, alleged offenders can suffer numerous collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in Dearborn. When you ask for help from our team, you get a Dearborn, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows all the approaches to take in search of a positive outcome for your case.
What to Look For in Your Dearborn, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re looking for a superb murder defense lawyer in Dearborn, 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 Dearborn, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with dignity and tell you your best paths forward. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- 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 Dearborn, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- Lack of experience with murder charges
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Impolite or apathetic attitude
- A lack of planning on ways to fight your charges
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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 Dearborn, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But they pale in comparison to federal charges. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to get your back.
For a federal prosecutor to take a murder case over from the Dearborn, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- The alleged crime took place in two different states.
- 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 Dearborn, 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 Dearborn, MO, courts and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Dearborn, MO
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, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Here are some of the strategies we’ll consider:
- Alibi
- Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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This Decision Matters. Don’t Risk Your Life. Work With Combs Waterkotte’s Dearborn, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
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 will listen to your story. We will work in concert with you and fight for your freedom.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Speak with us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to get started now.
