Murder Defense Lawyer, Riverside, 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 face capital punishment. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Riverside, 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 are prepared to fight against any charges. We have experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
When you contact our lawyers, you’re getting expert legal advice from day one. You can start creating your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or reaching out to us online. We’re prepared to assist 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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What a Murder Defense Lawyer in Riverside, MO, Will Do For You
The battle for your case begins as soon as you get in touch with your Riverside, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’ve been placed under arrest, your lawyer can advise you on how to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in your corner during questioning goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you against advanced interrogation techniques and building your defense in multiple stages.
In most Riverside, 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 face charges of 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 Riverside, MO, don’t often allow bail in murder cases, but, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
Once you’ve made it through your arraignment, your Riverside, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together 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. Whatever defense works best for your case, your lawyer will also explore options for plea negotiations to see if your charges and/or sentence can be reduced.
If the prosecution refuses to negotiate, your case will go to trial. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, ferocious defense and are prepared to go all the way to protect your freedom. We stand by your side 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 Riverside, MO, murder defense lawyer will 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 Riverside, MO court system alone. An experienced legal team like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Cases Will a Riverside, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when you work with a Riverside, 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 Riverside, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder has three specific elements in Missouri: 1. Someone was killed, 2. It was on purpose, and 3. The alleged killer planned to do so ahead of time. 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 the possibility of parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder has a wider definition than first-degree murder in Missouri. It includes:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Attempting to commit another felony, if someone dies in the process.
As a Class A Felony, you can face a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years, or life.
Murder vs. Manslaughter in Missouri
Murder and manslaughter are similar, but normally differ in one key area: Intentions. Murder charges normally require 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. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Riverside, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Committing 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, 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 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 still involves one person killing another person on accident. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent in such a way that causes someone’s death.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction is generally a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for certain 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, using a plan. | 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 |
Beyond a prison sentence, you can suffer countless collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you call us, you get a Riverside, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Riverside, MO
If you need a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Riverside, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. Check out the top 4 qualities to look for, and top 4 red flags to avoid:
Top 4 Riverside, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with respect and always be honest with you. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- 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 Riverside, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- Lack of experience with murder charges
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Impolite 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.
What Turns a Riverside, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Whatever court you’re in, being accused of murder is a big deal. But if it’s federal, that only makes things more extreme. Federal crimes are prosecuted by high-level 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 Riverside, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- The alleged crime took place in two different states.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim worked for the federal government.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Riverside, MO: 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 local connections in Riverside, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Riverside, MO Murder Charges
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Here are some of the strategies we’ll consider:
- Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
- Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Riverside, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Every criminal accusation in Riverside, MO, needs to be taken seriously. And murder even moreso. At Combs Waterkotte, we know what it takes to successfully defend murder charges. We will listen to your story. We will defend you and protect your rights.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Talk to an attorney now at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to get started now.
