Murder Defense Lawyer, Lexington, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or if the prosecution and jury wish to impose it, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Lexington, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you’re not alone. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. As one of the premier 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 defending homicide charges.
With us, you’re in good hands. You can start crafting your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our contact form online. We’re ready 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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How a Murder Defense Lawyer Protects Your Freedom in Lexington, MO
The battle for your case begins the moment you contact your Lexington, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your lawyer can advise you on how to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in the room when you interact with investigators goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s protecting you against pressing interrogation techniques and providing responses that strengthen your story.
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 common in Missouri for defendants to 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 Lexington, MO, murder cases. However, we won’t just give in, and will argue for your pretrial release.
After the arraignment, your Lexington, 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. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or this is a case of mistaken identity. Regardless of the strategy, your lawyer will also explore options for plea negotiations to see if they can get the prosecution to lower or drop charges.
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 extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy as needed.
In summary, when you work with a leading Lexington, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- Protect your rights during interrogations
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Decide on a defense that best fits the unique factors of your case
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
Don’t try to go through the Lexington, MO court system alone. An expert team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when hiring 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. 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. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
If convicted, you can face either the death sentence 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:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone in an attempt to severely injure them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Attempting to commit a different felony, if someone dies in the process.
As a Class A Felony, potential sentences for second-degree murder in Missouri include prison for 10 to 30 years, or life.
Murder vs. Manslaughter in Missouri
Murder and manslaughter are closely related, but typically differ in one key area: Intentions. In most Lexington, MO, murder cases, it’s on 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 Lexington, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Killing someone in what would ordinarilybe 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, you can be sentenced to between 5 and 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter is still a serious charge in Lexington, MO, but does not consist of killing another person on purpose.
In most cases, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (either a targeted police officer or a close family member), it 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.
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, 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 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 call our team, you get a Lexington, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
What You Need in a Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re looking for a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Lexington, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you with dignity and tell you your best paths forward. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- A track record of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- 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
- Rude or disinterested 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 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 the top prosecutors, and when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Lexington, MO:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal government employee.
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 your case qualifies for this, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Lexington, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Lexington, MO Murder Charges
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Below are some of the options we’ll consider:
- Alibi
- 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 Lexington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
Being accused of homicide in Lexington, MO, can be devestating. Without help, it can derail your entire life. But you do have help available. Combs Waterkotte’s murder defense lawyers will explore every option available to secure a positive outcome for you. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will represent you and battle for the best outcome possible.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Talk to an attorney now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to protect yourself.
