Murder Defense Lawyer, Greenwood, MO. If you were looking for the worst crime penalties in Missouri, you’d want to start with the punishment for murder. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or in even more serious cases, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Greenwood, 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 top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we won’t give up on your case and will explore every avenue to secure a positive outcome. We have experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
When you contact our lawyers, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start building your defense now 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 Greenwood, MO, Will Do For You
The fight for your freedom starts the moment you get in touch with your Greenwood, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your attorney can advise you on what to do when you interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer in your corner while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you from advanced interrogation methods and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
In most Greenwood, 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 alongside murder. In cases where the court sets pretrial release conditions for the defendant, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Greenwood, MO, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
After the arraignment, your Greenwood, MO, homicide defense attorney will recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t already been talking with you about them. You could have been acting in defense of others, or this is a case of mistaken identity. Whatever defense works best for your case, your attorney will also be in contact with the prosecutor for plea negotiations to see if they can secure a positive outcome for you.
If the prosecution refuses to negotiate, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, ferocious defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We stand by your side 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, your Greenwood, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Help you pick the best defensive strategy for your case
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
You don’t want to try and go through the Greenwood, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced attorney like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Greenwood, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when you work with a Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, 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 sentence for first-degree murder is either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without an option for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder has a wider definition than first-degree murder in Missouri. It includes:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone in an attempt to severely injure them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Trying to commit another felony, if it causes someone’s death.
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 normally are distinguished by one thing: Intentions. In most Greenwood, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed 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. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Greenwood, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Taking a life in what would ordinarilybe 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, 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.
Normally, 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.
This crime 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 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 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 call us, you get a Greenwood, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
What You Need in a Greenwood, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re looking for a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Greenwood, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Greenwood, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with dignity and tell you your best paths forward. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- A track record of victories
- 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
- Dismissive or disinterested 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.
What Turns a Greenwood, 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 match.
For a federal prosecutor to take a murder case over from the Greenwood, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Greenwood, MO: Dual Sovereignty. Under the United States’ dual sovereignty doctrine, you can be charged with some crimes in both federal and state courts.
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 a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Greenwood, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, we will listen to your story and find something that will fit you the best. Here are some of the strategies we’ll consider:
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Combs Waterkotte’s Greenwood, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers are Ready for Your Case
Being accused of homicide in Greenwood, 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 don’t judge; we listen. We will work in concert with you and battle for the best outcome possible.
Act fast before it’s too late. Speak with us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to get started now.
