Murder Defense Lawyer, Kansas City, 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 if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Kansas City, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. You have Combs Waterkotte. 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 fought thousands of cases, including many just like yours.
When you contact our lawyers, you’re in good hands. You can start building your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re available 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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Actions Your Murder Defense Lawyer in Kansas City, MO Will Take to Defend You
The fight for your freedom starts the moment you first call your Kansas City, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your lawyer can give you tips on what to do when you interact with the police. Having a lawyer present when you interact with investigators is more than just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you against advanced interrogation methods and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
In most Kansas City, 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 face charges of armed criminal action or other violent crimes in addition to murder. If a bail amount is given, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Bail is commonly denied in Kansas City, MO, murder cases. However, we won’t just give in, and will argue for your pretrial release.
Once you’ve made it through your arraignment, your Kansas City, MO, homicide defense attorney will recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t picked out one previously that is a good fit for your case. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or you could have an alibi. Regardless of the strategy, your lawyer will also be in contact with the prosecutor for plea negotiations to see if your charges and/or sentence can be reduced.
If the negotiations don’t work, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, ferocious defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. We don’t give up 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, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Kansas City, 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
- Represent you during a trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Kansas City, MO legal process without a guide. An expert team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when you work with a Kansas City, MO, murder defense lawyer, you want one who knows how to defend your specific charges.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Kansas City, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
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.
If convicted, you can face either the death sentence or a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder is still a very serious crime in Missouri. There are multiple ways a person can be accused of second-degree murder:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, then unintentionally killing them, and
- Trying to commit another 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 similar, but normally one thing sets them apart: 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 – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Kansas City, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Committing what would be second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
As a Class B Felony, you 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.
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 is similar to first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent and having someone die as a result.
This crime 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, 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 |
On top of the formal penalties, alleged offenders can face countless collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Kansas City clients against all of the above charges. When you call one of our attorneys, you get a Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO
If you’re looking for a superb murder defense lawyer in Kansas City, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you well and tell you your best paths forward. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- Prior experience with your charges
- A history of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Kansas City, 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 cold 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 Kansas City, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by some of the best prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Here are common circumstances in Kansas City, MO, that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime happened in a place owned by the federal government.
- The alleged victim worked for the federal government.
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 you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both intimate knowledge of local Kansas City, MO, courts and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Kansas City, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Here are some of the possibilities 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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This Decision Matters. Don’t Risk Your Life. Work With Combs Waterkotte’s Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
Fighting a murder charge in Kansas City, MO, isn’t something you can take lightly. You need a team of attorneys that can protect your freedom. When you don’t know what to do, Combs Waterkotte is ready to guide you. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will work in concert with you and fight for your freedom.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Speak with a lawyer right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to protect yourself.
