Murder Defense Lawyer, North Kansas City, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or if the prosecution and jury wish to impose it, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in North Kansas City, MO, the risks are high and your odds of a positive outcome are low.
But you’re not alone. You have Combs Waterkotte. 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 contact our lawyers, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start building your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re prepared to assist 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your North Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The battle for your case starts as soon as you first call your North Kansas City, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can train you on what to do when you interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in the room when you interact with investigators is more than just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you against advanced interrogation techniques and building your defense in multiple stages.
In most North Kansas City, 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 alongside murder. In cases where the court sets pretrial release conditions for the defendant, this is usually also done at this time. The courts in North Kansas City, MO, don’t often allow bail in murder cases, but, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your North Kansas City, 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. You could have been acting in defense of others, 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 secure a positive outcome for you.
If the state won’t offer a deal that works for you, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and will use it to defend you all the way to the final verdict. We stick with you and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This even applies after the verdict, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy as applicable.
In summary, your North Kansas City, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Help you pick the best defensive strategy for your case
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
Don’t try to go through the North Kansas City, MO court system alone. An expert lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Charges Does a North Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when you work with a North Kansas City, 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 North Kansas City, Missouri. To learn more about what they are, read the breakdowns below.:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder in Missouri consists of killing another person on purpose, with a plan. Defenses against first-degree murder in North Kansas City, MO, sometimes will hinge on whether or not the death was intentional or preplanned.
The sentence for first-degree murder is 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:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then killing them on accident, and
- Attempting to commit another 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 similar, but typically one thing sets them apart: Intentions. To find someone guilty of murder, normally the state has to prove that the alleged offender took the alleged victim’s life on purpose, and there was no excuse.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – even if someone accidentally caused the death of another person, they can still be convicted of manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of North Kansas City, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Committing what would normally 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, a person convicted of voluntary manslaughter 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 North Kansas City, MO, but does not consist of killing another person on purpose.
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), 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.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction is typically 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 |
In addition to going to prison, you can face numerous collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in North Kansas City. When you call us, you get a North Kansas City, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
What You Need in a North Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
When you’re looking for a superb murder defense lawyer in North Kansas City, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 North Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with dignity and have a plan for how to handle your case. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Prior experience with your charges
- 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 North Kansas City, 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
- Rude or disinterested attitude
- A lack of planning on ways to fight your charges
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 North Kansas City, 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 to get your back.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in North Kansas City, MO:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime happened in a place owned by the federal government.
- The alleged victim worked for the federal government.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in North Kansas City, MO: 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 local connections in North Kansas City, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common North Kansas City, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, we will listen to your story and find something that will fit you the best. Here are some of the strategies 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 North Kansas City, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
A murder charge can ruin your life. But the right murder defense lawyer can save it. At Combs Waterkotte, we know what it takes to successfully defend murder charges. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will tell your side of the story and protect your rights.
Act fast before it’s too late. Talk to an attorney now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to start fighting your case.
