Murder Defense Lawyer, Lathrop, 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 Lathrop, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. You can call Combs Waterkotte. As one of the premier criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we are prepared to fight against any charges. We have experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
When you contact our lawyers, you’re in good hands. You can start creating your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re ready 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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Ways Your Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The defense process begins as soon as you get in touch with your Lathrop, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your lawyer can train you on what to do when you interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in your corner while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s protecting you from advanced interrogation methods 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 common in Missouri for defendants to be charged with armed criminal action or other violent crimes alongside murder. In cases where bail is allowed, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Lathrop, MO, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
After the arraignment, your Lathrop, MO, homicide defense attorney will recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. 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 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 negotiations don’t work, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, powerful defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We stick with you and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy as needed.
In summary, your Lathrop, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- 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 Lathrop, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced attorney like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Charges Does a Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when you work with a Lathrop, 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 Lathrop, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder in Missouri consists of killing another person on purpose, with a plan. Defenses against first-degree murder in Lathrop, MO, sometimes will hinge on whether or not the death was intentional or preplanned.
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 with the goal of hurting them badly, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Trying to commit a different 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. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender took the alleged victim’s life on purpose, and it wasn’t in self-defense or another special circumstance.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Lathrop, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Taking a life in what would normally be second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Helping someone take their own life.
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.
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 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 generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special 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 take their own life | 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 |
In addition to going to prison, alleged offenders can face countless collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you ask for help from one of our attorneys, you get a Lathrop, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
What You Need in a Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you need a superb murder defense lawyer in Lathrop, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with dignity and tell you your best paths forward. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- A track record of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Lathrop, 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:
- No experience with your charges
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Arrogant or cold attitude
- Unorganized or vague plan for how to help you
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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 Lathrop, 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 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 Lathrop, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- 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 agent.
One other important note to be aware of: Dual Sovereignty. Under the United States’ dual sovereignty doctrine, you can be charged with some crimes in both federal and state courts.
If you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Lathrop, MO, and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Lathrop, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, 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:
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Accused of Murder in Lathrop, MO? The Murder Defense Lawyers at Combs Waterkotte Will Defend Your Rights
Being accused of homicide in Lathrop, MO, can be devestating. Without help, it can derail your entire life. But you do have help available. At Combs Waterkotte, we know what it takes to successfully defend murder charges. We don’t judge; we listen. We will tell your side of the story and protect your rights.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Contact us now at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to get started now.
