Murder Defense Lawyer, Lathrop, MO. It’s hard to think of a worse thing to be accused of than murder. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or in even more serious cases, you could face capital punishment. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Lathrop, MO, you could be risking everything.
But you have someone who can help. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. 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 many just like yours.
When you contact our lawyers, you’re in good hands. You can start building your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re ready 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The defense process begins the moment you contact your Lathrop, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your lawyer can train you on how to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer present when you interact with investigators goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you against advanced interrogation techniques and building your defense in multiple stages.
In most Lathrop, 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 face charges of 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 Lathrop, MO, murder cases. However, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your Lathrop, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t already been talking with you about them. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Regardless of the strategy, your attorney will also talk to the state about plea negotiations to see if they can secure a positive outcome for you.
If the state won’t offer a deal that works for you, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, fearless 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 needed.
In summary, when you work with a leading Lathrop, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to 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
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- 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 team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Cases Will a Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when you work with a Lathrop, MO, murder defense lawyer, it’s important that they understand exactly what the accusations are.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Lathrop, 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. Accidental deaths or impulsive actions do not qualify for first-degree murder charges in Missouri.
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 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 unintentionally killing them, and
- Attempting 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. In most Lathrop, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender purposely caused the death of the alleged victim, and there was no excuse.
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. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Lathrop, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter charges in Missouri fall into one of two categories:
- Taking a life in what would be second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- Helping someone take their own life.
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 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 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 still involves one person killing another person on accident. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent and having someone die as a result.
This crime 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, 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, alleged offenders can suffer 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 work with us, you get a Lathrop, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
What to Look For in Your Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
When 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. Check out the top 4 qualities to look for, and top 4 red flags to avoid:
Top 4 Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with dignity and have a plan for how to handle your case. 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 case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- No experience with your charges
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Rude or cold 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.
What Turns a Lathrop, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But if it’s federal, that only makes things more extreme. Federal crimes are prosecuted by high-level prosecutors, and when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to get your back.
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.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Lathrop, MO: Dual Sovereignty. The United States allows several criminal charges, often including murder, to be tried in both state and federal court.
If your case can fall under dual sovereignty, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both intimate knowledge of local Lathrop, MO, courts and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Lathrop, MO
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Follow are some of the possibilities we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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You Need a Leading Lathrop, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte. Call Now.
Fighting a murder charge in Lathrop, 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 will listen to your story. We will work in concert with you and protect your rights.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Speak with one of our representatives now at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to protect yourself.
