Murder Defense Lawyer, Excelsior Estates, MO. Murder charges are arguably the most serious criminal charges you can face in Missouri. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life. Or in even more serious cases, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO, you could be risking everything.
But there is another way forward. 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 experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
With us, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start crafting your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or sending us a note online. We’re ready 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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Actions Your Murder Defense Lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO Will Take to Defend You
The battle for your case starts as soon as you first call your Excelsior Estates, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your lawyer can advise you on the best way to interact with the police. Having a lawyer alongside you when you interact with investigators goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you against pressing interrogation techniques and building your defense in multiple stages.
Most of the time in Excelsior Estates, 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, this is usually also done at this time. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Excelsior Estates, MO, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your Excelsior Estates, 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. You could have been acting in defense of others, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever defense works best for your case, your lawyer will also talk to the state about plea negotiations to see if they can get the prosecution to lower or drop charges.
If the prosecution refuses to negotiate, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, powerful defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. 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, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Excelsior Estates, MO:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
Don’t try to go through the Excelsior Estates, MO court system alone. An expert team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Cases Will a Excelsior Estates, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when you work with a Excelsior Estates, 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 Excelsior Estates, Missouri. To learn more about what they are, read the breakdowns below.:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder is defined in Missouri as the deliberate taking of another person’s life, after planning for it. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
The potential punishment after a conviction is either the death sentence 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:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone in an attempt to severely injure them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Attempting to commit another 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 normally differ in one key area: 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 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 Excelsior Estates, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Committing what would ordinarilybe 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, a person convicted of voluntary manslaughter can be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter is still a serious charge in Excelsior Estates, MO, but does not consist of killing another person on purpose.
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 still involves one person killing another person on accident. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent in such a way that causes someone’s death.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction is generally 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, 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 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, people can suffer numerous collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Excelsior Estates clients against all of the above charges. When you call one of our attorneys, you get a Excelsior Estates, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO
If you’re looking for a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 Excelsior Estates, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you well and always be honest with you. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- A history of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Excelsior Estates, 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.
When Do Excelsior Estates, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
State murder charges are dangerous on their own. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by high-level prosecutors, and when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to get your back.
Here are common circumstances in Excelsior Estates, 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 worked for the federal government.
Even if you are found innocent in federal court, you may not be out of the woods yet. This is because of an important policy: Dual Sovereignty. The United States allows several criminal charges, often including murder, to be tried in both state and federal court.
If you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both local connections in Excelsior Estates, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Excelsior Estates, MO
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies that 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 possibilities we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Being accused of homicide in Excelsior Estates, 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 will listen to your story. We will defend you and fight for your freedom.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Speak with a lawyer any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to start fighting your case.
