Murder Defense Lawyer, East Side KC, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in East Side KC, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. You have 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 against murder accusations.
When you contact our lawyers, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start crafting 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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What a Murder Defense Lawyer in East Side KC, MO, Will Do For You
The battle for your case begins the moment you get in touch with your East Side KC, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can give you tips on what to do when you interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer in the room while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s protecting you from pressing interrogation methods and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
In most East Side KC, 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. It’s possible that you’ll be charged with 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 East Side KC, 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 East Side KC, 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 your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever defense works best for your case, your lawyer will also be in contact with the prosecutor for plea negotiations to see if your charges and/or sentence can be reduced.
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, fearless defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. 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, when you work with a leading East Side KC, 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
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
Don’t try to go through the East Side KC, MO court system alone. An expert lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a East Side KC, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when you work with a East Side KC, 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 East Side KC, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
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 sentence or a life sentence in prison without a chance for 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:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then unintentionally killing them, and
- Attempting 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 generally one thing sets them apart: Intentions. In most East Side KC, 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 – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of East Side KC, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Killing someone in what would 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, 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 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 if the alleged victim falls into a specific category (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.
This crime is typically 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, 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 kill themself | 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 |
On top of the formal penalties, alleged offenders can face numerous collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect East Side KC clients against all of the above charges. When you ask for help from us, you get a East Side KC, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
What You Need in a East Side KC, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you need a high-quality murder defense lawyer in East Side KC, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Check out the top 4 qualities to look for, and top 4 red flags to avoid:
Top 4 East Side KC, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you well and have a plan for how to handle your case. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Prior experience with your charges
- A track record of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 East Side KC, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
When speaking with potential attorneys for your case, beware of red flags that could cause issues down the road:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- High promises, to the point of being unrealistic
- Impolite or disinterested 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 East Side KC, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
State murder charges are dangerous on their own. 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 at your side.
Here are common circumstances in East Side KC, MO, that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- 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 government employee.
One other important note to be aware of: Dual Sovereignty. Under the United States’ dual sovereignty doctrine, you can be charged with some crimes in both federal and state courts.
If you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in East Side KC, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in East Side KC, MO
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, we will listen to your story and find something that will fit you the best. Below are some of the strategies we’ll consider:
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in East Side KC, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Every criminal accusation in East Side KC, MO, needs to be taken seriously. And murder even moreso. 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 tell your side of the story and fight for your freedom.
Act fast before it’s too late. Speak with a lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to start fighting your case.
