Murder Defense Lawyer, Ivanhoe, MO. Murder charges are arguably the most serious criminal charges you can face in Missouri. 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 Ivanhoe, MO, you could be risking everything.
But you’re not alone. You have Combs Waterkotte. As one of the premier 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 defended 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 today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re available 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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How a Murder Defense Lawyer Protects Your Freedom in Ivanhoe, MO
The fight for your freedom starts the moment you get in touch with your Ivanhoe, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your lawyer can train you on the best way to interact with the police. Having a lawyer by your side while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s protecting you against pressing interrogation techniques 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 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, this is usually also done at this time. 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 recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t already been talking with you about them. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or this is a case of mistaken identity. 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 prosecution refuses to negotiate, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. 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 applicable.
In summary, your Ivanhoe, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- 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
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
You don’t want to try and go through the Ivanhoe, MO legal process without a guide. An expert attorney like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
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. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder in Missouri consists of killing another person on purpose, with a plan. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
The sentence for first-degree murder is either the death sentence 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:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Trying 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 closely related, 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, 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 – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Ivanhoe, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Committing what would ordinarilybe 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, the alleged offender may be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter is the first of these charges to not include any form of intentionality in the crime.
Normally, 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 (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 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, 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 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, alleged offenders can face countless collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you work with us, you get a Ivanhoe, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows all the approaches to take in search of a positive outcome for your case.
What to Look For in Your Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re looking for a superb murder defense lawyer in Ivanhoe, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with respect and tell you your best paths forward. 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 case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Dismissive or apathetic attitude
- A lack of planning on ways to fight your charges
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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 Ivanhoe, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
State murder charges are dangerous on their own. But if it’s federal, that only makes things more extreme. Federal crimes are prosecuted by some of the best prosecutors, and as a result, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Here are common circumstances in Ivanhoe, MO, that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
One other important note to be aware of: 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 qualifies for this, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Ivanhoe, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Ivanhoe, MO
While every case is unique, 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 options 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.
Fighting a murder charge in Ivanhoe, MO, isn’t something you can take lightly. You need a team of attorneys that can protect your freedom. Combs Waterkotte’s murder defense lawyers will explore every option available to secure a positive outcome for you. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will represent you and protect your rights.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to start fighting your case.
