Murder Defense Lawyer, Polo, 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 be up against the death penalty. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Polo, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But you have someone who can help. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we are prepared to fight against any charges. We have experience fighting thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
When you contact our lawyers, you’re in good hands. You can start creating your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or sending us a note online. We’re ready 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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Actions Your Murder Defense Lawyer in Polo, MO Will Take to Defend You
The fight for your freedom starts as soon as you contact your Polo, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your lawyer can give you tips on the best way to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer by your side during questioning goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you from advanced interrogation techniques and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
In most Polo, 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 alongside murder. In cases where the court sets pretrial release conditions for the defendant, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Polo, MO, we won’t just give in, and will argue for your pretrial release.
After the arraignment, your Polo, MO, homicide defense attorney will recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t done so already. You could have been acting in defense of others, or this is a case of mistaken identity. 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 state won’t offer a deal that works for you, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers 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 applicable.
In summary, when you work with a leading Polo, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Help you pick the best defensive strategy for your case
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Present your defense before a judge and jury
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
Don’t try to go through the Polo, MO court system alone. An experienced lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Charges Does a Polo, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when hiring a Polo, 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 Polo, 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. Defenses against first-degree murder in Polo, 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 the possibility of 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 unintentionally killing them, and
- Trying 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 generally differ in one key area: Intentions. To find someone guilty of murder, normally the state has to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed the alleged victim, and it wasn’t in self-defense or another special circumstance.
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 Polo, 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 supposed offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
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 does not include the intentional taking of another person’s life. Instead, Missouri defines it as causing someone’s death by acting recklessly.
Ordinarilly, 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 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.
This crime is typically 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, 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, alleged offenders can suffer countless collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you work with our team, you get a Polo, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
What to Look For in Your Polo, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re looking for a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Polo, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 Polo, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with dignity and have a plan for how to handle your case. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- 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 Polo, 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:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Rude or disinterested attitude
- No real ideas on what your defense will look like
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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 Polo, 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 some of the best prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to get your back.
For a federal prosecutor to take a murder case over from the Polo, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- The alleged crime took place near a state border or across a border.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
One other important note to be aware of: Dual Sovereignty. The United States allows several criminal charges, often including murder, to be tried in both state and federal court.
If you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Polo, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Polo, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Here are some of the defenses we’ll consider:
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This Decision Matters. Don’t Risk Your Life. Work With Combs Waterkotte’s Polo, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
Being accused of homicide in Polo, 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 will listen to your story. We will work in concert with you and fight for your freedom.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to get started now.
