Murder Defense Lawyer, Lexington, MO. It’s hard to think of a worse thing to be accused of than murder. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or in even more serious cases, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Lexington, MO, the risks are high and your odds of a positive outcome are low.
But you’re not alone. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we fight to protect our clients’ rights and freedom. We have experience fighting thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
When you work with our team, you’re getting expert legal advice from day one. You can start creating your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or reaching out to us online. We’re available 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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Actions Your Murder Defense Lawyer in Lexington, MO Will Take to Defend You
The defense process begins the moment you contact your Lexington, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your attorney can train you on the best way to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer in your corner while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you from interrogation techniques and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
In most Lexington, 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 be charged with 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. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Lexington, MO, 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 Lexington, MO, homicide defense attorney will recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever method you go with, your attorney will also talk to the state about 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. Our lawyers 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, your Lexington, 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
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Lexington, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced legal team like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Charges Does a Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when you work with a Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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. Defenses against first-degree murder in Lexington, MO, sometimes will hinge on whether or not the death was intentional or preplanned.
The potential punishment after a conviction is either the death sentence or a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder can result from more situations than first-degree murder. These include:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, then killing them on accident, and
- Attempting 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 closely related, but typically are distinguished by one thing: Intentions. In most Lexington, MO, murder cases, it’s on 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 – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Lexington, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter charges in Missouri fall into one of two categories:
- Committing what would be second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Helping someone take their own life.
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.
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, 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, people 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 call our team, you get a Lexington, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Lexington, MO
If you need a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Lexington, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Check out the top 4 qualities to look for, and top 4 red flags to avoid:
Top 4 Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you well and have a plan for how to handle your case. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- A history of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
When speaking with potential attorneys for your case, beware of red flags that could cause issues down the road:
- No experience with your charges
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Arrogant or disinterested attitude
- No real ideas on what your defense will look like
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 Lexington, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
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 match.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Lexington, MO:
- The alleged crime took place in two different states.
- The alleged crime occurred on federal property.
- The alleged victim worked for the federal government.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Lexington, MO: 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 can fall under dual sovereignty, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Lexington, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Lexington, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. 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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You Need a Leading Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte. Call Now.
A murder charge can ruin your life. But the right murder defense lawyer can save it. When you don’t know what to do, Combs Waterkotte is ready to guide you. We will listen to your story. We will tell your side of the story and fight for your freedom.
Act fast before it’s too late. Call us any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to protect yourself.
