Murder Defense Lawyer, Lake Winnebago, MO. If you were looking for the worst crime penalties in Missouri, you’d want to start with the punishment for murder. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life. Or if the prosecution and jury wish to impose it, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Lake Winnebago, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But you have someone who can help. You have Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we are prepared to fight against any charges. We have defended thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
When you work with our team, 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, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Lake Winnebago, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The fight for your freedom starts as soon as you get in touch with your Lake Winnebago, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your lawyer can advise you on what to do when you interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer by your side when you interact with investigators goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you from 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 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. Bail is commonly denied in Lake Winnebago, 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 Lake Winnebago, 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. You could have been acting in defense of others, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever defense works best for your case, your lawyer 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. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and will use it to defend you all the way to the final verdict. 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 applicable.
In summary, your Lake Winnebago, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Represent you during a trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
Don’t try to go through the Lake Winnebago, MO court system alone. An expert attorney like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a Lake Winnebago, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when hiring a Lake Winnebago, 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 will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Lake Winnebago, 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. Defenses against first-degree murder in Lake Winnebago, MO, sometimes will hinge on whether or not the death was intentional or preplanned.
If convicted, you can face either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without an option for 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 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 similar, but typically are distinguished by one thing: Intentions. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed the alleged victim, and it wasn’t in self-defense or another special circumstance.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – in cases where death resulted but was unintentional, it’s common for the alleged offender to face manslaughter charges. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Lake Winnebago, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Killing someone in what would normally be second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
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 is the first of these charges to not include any form of intentionality in the crime.
Ordinarilly, 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 also involves the unintentional taking of human life. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent in such a way that causes someone’s death.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter is generally 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 |
Beyond a prison sentence, people can face numerous collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in Lake Winnebago. When you work with one of our attorneys, you get a Lake Winnebago, 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 Lake Winnebago, MO
When you need a superb murder defense lawyer in Lake Winnebago, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 Lake Winnebago, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you with dignity and tell you your best paths forward. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- A history of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Lake Winnebago, 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:
- Lack of experience with murder charges
- High promises, to the point of being unrealistic
- Rude or apathetic attitude
- Unorganized or vague plan for how to help you
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 Lake Winnebago, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
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.
Here are common circumstances in Lake Winnebago, 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 was a federal government employee.
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 local connections in Lake Winnebago, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Lake Winnebago, MO Murder Charges
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will commonly evaluate. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Follow are some of the defenses we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Lake Winnebago, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Every criminal accusation in Lake Winnebago, 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 are here to give you an expert on your side. We will represent you and fight for your freedom.
Act fast before it’s too late. Talk to an attorney any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to start fighting your case.
