Murder Defense Lawyer, Pleasant Valley, MO. It’s hard to think of a worse thing to be accused of than murder. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Pleasant Valley, 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 premier criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we are prepared to fight against any charges. We have fought thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
With us, you’re in good hands. You can start crafting your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or sending us a note online. We’re available 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Actions Your Murder Defense Lawyer in Pleasant Valley, MO Will Take to Defend You
The fight for your freedom starts the moment you get in touch with your Pleasant Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your lawyer can train you on how to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer present while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you against pressing interrogation methods and building your defense in multiple stages.
In most Pleasant Valley, 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. In many cases, murder won’t be the only charge. Frequently, defendants will also 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. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Pleasant Valley, MO, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
Once you’ve made it through your arraignment, your Pleasant Valley, MO, homicide defense attorney will advise you on tactics you can use in your defense, if they haven’t done so already. You could have been acting in defense of others, or your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever defense works best for your case, 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, powerful defense and will use it to defend you all the way to the final verdict. We don’t give up 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, your Pleasant Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An experienced legal team like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a Pleasant Valley, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when hiring a Pleasant Valley, 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 Pleasant Valley, 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. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
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 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 with the goal of hurting them badly, then going too far and taking their life, 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 similar, but normally are distinguished by one thing: Intentions. In most Pleasant Valley, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed the alleged victim, and there was no excuse.
For a person to be convicted of manslaughter, whether or not the alleged victim was killed on purpose doesn’t matter as much – even if someone accidentally caused the death of another person, they can still be convicted of manslaughter. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Pleasant Valley, 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 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.
Ordinarilly, 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 also involves the unintentional taking of human life. 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 generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special 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, using a plan. | 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 |
On top of the formal penalties, you can face countless collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Pleasant Valley clients against all of the above charges. When you call our team, you get a Pleasant Valley, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
What to Look For in Your Pleasant Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re looking for a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Pleasant Valley, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Pleasant Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you well 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:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- A history of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Pleasant Valley, 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
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Rude or apathetic 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 Pleasant Valley, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by high-level prosecutors, and when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Here are common circumstances in Pleasant Valley, MO, that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- 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 Pleasant Valley, 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 local connections in Pleasant Valley, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Pleasant Valley, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies that 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 strategies we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- 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 Pleasant Valley, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
Fighting a murder charge in Pleasant Valley, MO, isn’t something you can take lightly. You need a team of attorneys that can protect your freedom. When you don’t know what to do, Combs Waterkotte is ready to guide you. We are here to give you an expert on your side. We will tell your side of the story and fight for your freedom.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Speak with an attorney any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to start fighting your case.
