Murder Defense Lawyer, Greenwood, MO. It’s hard to think of a worse thing to be accused of than murder. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or in even more serious cases, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Greenwood, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. As one of the top 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 work with our team, you’re in good hands. You can start crafting your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or sending us a note online. We’re available 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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What a Murder Defense Lawyer in Greenwood, MO, Will Do For You
The battle for your case begins as soon as you contact your Greenwood, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your attorney can train you on the best way to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer by your side during questioning goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you against pressing 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 bail is allowed, this is usually also done at this time. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Greenwood, MO, we won’t just give in, and will argue for your pretrial release.
After the arraignment, your Greenwood, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or you could have an alibi. Regardless of the strategy, your attorney will also explore options 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. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. We stand by your side and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy if applicable.
In summary, your Greenwood, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Decide on a defense that best fits the unique factors of your case
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Represent you during a trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An expert lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Greenwood, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when hiring a Greenwood, 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 are prepared to defend against any types of murder charges in Greenwood, Missouri. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:
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 sentence for first-degree murder 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:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Attempting to commit another 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 generally differ in one key area: Intentions. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender took the alleged victim’s life on purpose, without exculpatory circumstances.
For a person to be convicted of manslaughter, whether or not the alleged victim was killed on purpose doesn’t matter as much – even if someone accidentally caused the death of another person, they can still be convicted of manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Greenwood, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter charges in Missouri fall into one of two categories:
- Committing what would normally be second-degree murder, except that the alleged 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 still a serious charge in Greenwood, 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), 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 (which means being unaware of a risk that a normal person would be aware of) and having someone die as a result.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter is ordinarily a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special 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, 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 |
Beyond a prison sentence, people can suffer countless collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in Greenwood. When you work with our team, you get a Greenwood, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
What to Look For in Your Greenwood, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
When you need a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Greenwood, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Check out the top 4 qualities to look for, and top 4 red flags to avoid:
Top 4 Greenwood, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you well and have a plan for how to handle your case. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- 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 Greenwood, 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:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Impolite or cold attitude
- No real ideas on what your defense will look like
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 Greenwood, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
Any murder charge is serious. But if it’s federal, that only makes things more extreme. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and as a result, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Greenwood, 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 agent.
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. 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 personal connections to the prosecuting office in Greenwood, MO, and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Greenwood, 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 tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Below are some of the options 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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Accused of Murder in Greenwood, MO? The Murder Defense Lawyers at Combs Waterkotte Will Defend Your Rights
Fighting a murder charge in Greenwood, MO, isn’t something you can take lightly. You need a team of attorneys that can protect your freedom. At Combs Waterkotte, we know what it takes to successfully defend murder charges. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will tell your side of the story and fight for your freedom.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Talk to one of our lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to protect yourself.
