Murder Defense Lawyer, Ivanhoe, MO. If you were looking for the worst crime penalties in Missouri, you’d want to start with the punishment for murder. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or in even more serious cases, you could face capital punishment. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Ivanhoe, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you have someone who can help. You can call Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we fight to protect our clients’ rights and freedom. We have defended thousands of cases, including many just like yours.
With us, you’re in good hands. You can start crafting your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re available 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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How a Murder Defense Lawyer Protects Your Freedom in Ivanhoe, MO
The fight for your freedom begins as soon as you get in touch with your Ivanhoe, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your attorney can advise you on how to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer present when you interact with investigators is more than just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you from interrogation methods and providing responses that strengthen your story.
In most Ivanhoe, 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 common in Missouri for defendants to be charged with 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. Bail is commonly denied in Ivanhoe, MO, murder cases. However, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
Once you’ve made it through your arraignment, your Ivanhoe, MO, homicide defense attorney will advise you on tactics you can use in your defense, if they haven’t already been talking with you about them. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or you could have an alibi. Regardless of the strategy, 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 state won’t offer a deal that works for you, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, powerful defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. 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 applicable.
In summary, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Ivanhoe, MO:
- 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
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Represent you during a trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Ivanhoe, MO legal process without a guide. An expert team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when hiring a Ivanhoe, MO, murder defense lawyer, it’s important that they understand exactly what the accusations are.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are prepared to defend against any types of murder charges in Ivanhoe, 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. 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 an option for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder can result from more situations than first-degree murder. These include:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, 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, 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 closely related, but normally are distinguished by one thing: 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 there was no excuse.
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 Ivanhoe, 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 reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Helping someone take their own life.
As a Class B Felony, the alleged offender can 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 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 still involves one person killing another person on accident. 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.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction 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, 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 |
Beyond a prison sentence, you can suffer numerous collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Ivanhoe clients against all of the above charges. When you ask for help from our team, you get a Ivanhoe, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows all the approaches to take in search of a positive outcome for your case.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Ivanhoe, MO
When you’re looking for a superb murder defense lawyer in Ivanhoe, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Check out the top 4 qualities to look for, and top 4 red flags to avoid:
Top 4 Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with dignity and have a plan for how to handle your case. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- 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 Ivanhoe, 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
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Rude 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 Ivanhoe, 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 the top prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to get your back.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Ivanhoe, MO:
- 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.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Ivanhoe, 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 you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Ivanhoe, MO, and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Ivanhoe, MO
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will commonly evaluate. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Below 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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You Need a Leading Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte. Call Now.
Every criminal accusation in Ivanhoe, 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 will listen to your story. We will tell your side of the story and fight for your freedom.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Contact us today at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to get started now.
