Murder Defense Lawyer, Lone Jack, MO. If you were looking for the worst crime penalties in Missouri, you’d want to start with the punishment for murder. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Lone Jack, MO, you could be risking everything.
But there is another way forward. You can call Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we fight to protect our clients’ rights and freedom. We have defended 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 building your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our contact form online. We’re available 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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What a Murder Defense Lawyer in Lone Jack, MO, Will Do For You
The defense process begins the moment you get in touch with your Lone Jack, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your lawyer can give you tips on how to interact with the police. Having a lawyer alongside you while the police are interviewing you is more than just telling you to stay silent – it’s protecting you against advanced 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. In many cases, murder won’t be the only charge. Frequently, defendants will also face charges of armed criminal action or other violent crimes alongside murder. If a bail amount is given, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Bail is commonly denied in Lone Jack, MO, murder cases. However, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your Lone Jack, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, if they haven’t already been talking with you about them. You could have been acting in defense of others, or you could have an alibi. Regardless of the strategy, your attorney will also explore options 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 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 as needed.
In summary, your Lone Jack, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect your rights during interrogations
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An experienced attorney like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Charges Does a Lone Jack, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when hiring a Lone Jack, 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 Lone Jack, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
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 Lone Jack, MO, sometimes will hinge on whether or not the death was intentional or preplanned.
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:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, then unintentionally killing them, and
- Attempting to commit another felony, if it causes someone’s death.
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 generally one thing sets them apart: Intentions. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender purposely caused the death of the alleged victim, without exculpatory circumstances.
For a person to be convicted of manslaughter, whether or not the alleged victim was killed on purpose doesn’t matter as much – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Lone Jack, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Committing what would be second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
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 still a serious charge in Lone Jack, MO, but does not consist of killing another person on purpose.
Normally, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (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 and having someone die as a result.
This crime 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, 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 commit suicide | 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 |
On top of the formal penalties, people can face countless collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Lone Jack clients against all of the above charges. When you work with our team, you get a Lone Jack, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows all the approaches to take in search of a positive outcome for your case.
What to Look For in Your Lone Jack, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
When you need a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Lone Jack, 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 Lone Jack, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you with dignity and always be honest with you. Here are the signs to look out for:
- 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 Lone Jack, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Impolite 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 Lone Jack, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
State murder charges are dangerous on their own. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and as a result, 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 Lone Jack, MO:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime occurred on federal property.
- The alleged victim was a federal government employee.
Even if you are found innocent in federal court, you may not be out of the woods yet. This is because of an important policy: 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 Lone Jack, MO, courts and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Lone Jack, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
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. Here 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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Combs Waterkotte’s Lone Jack, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers are Ready for Your Case
Fighting a murder charge in Lone Jack, 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 are here to give you an expert on your side. We will defend you and fight for your freedom.
Act fast before it’s too late. Speak with an attorney any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to start fighting your case.
