Murder Defense Lawyer, Smithville, 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 in even more serious cases, you could face capital punishment. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Smithville, MO, the risks are high and your odds of a positive outcome are low.
But you have someone who can help. You have Combs Waterkotte. As one of the premier 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 in good hands. You can start crafting your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re ready 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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Ways Your Smithville, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The defense process starts as soon as you contact your Smithville, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can give you tips on what to do when you interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer in the room during questioning goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you against advanced interrogation methods and building your defense in multiple stages.
After the arrest (and typically questioning), you’ll be given an arraignment hearing, where you are formally charged with a crime. 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. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Smithville, MO, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
After the arraignment, your Smithville, MO, homicide defense attorney will advise you on tactics you can use in your defense, if they haven’t done so already. Perhaps it was done in self-defense, or you could have an alibi. Whatever method you go with, your attorney will also explore options for plea negotiations to see if they can secure a positive outcome for you.
If the prosecution refuses to negotiate, your case will go to trial. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and will use it to defend you all the way to the final verdict. We stand by your side and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This extends to after the trial, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy as applicable.
In summary, when you work with a leading Smithville, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- 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
- Represent you during a trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
Don’t try to go through the Smithville, MO court system alone. An experienced lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Smithville, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
There are multiple types of homicide charges in Missouri, and when hiring a Smithville, 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 Smithville, Missouri. To learn more about what they are, read the breakdowns below.:
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.
The sentence for first-degree murder is either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without a chance for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder can result from more situations than first-degree murder. These include:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone in an attempt to severely injure them, 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 closely related, but typically differ in one key area: Intentions. Murder charges normally require the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender took the alleged victim’s life on purpose, 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 – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with manslaughter. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Smithville, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
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.
- 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 Smithville, MO, but does not consist of killing another person on purpose.
In most cases, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (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 and having someone die as a result.
This crime is typically 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 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 numerous collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we can protect Smithville clients against all of the above charges. When you work with one of our attorneys, you get a Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re looking for a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The right homicide attorney will treat you with respect and have a plan for how to handle your case. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- A track record of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Smithville, 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:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- High promises, to the point of being unrealistic
- Dismissive or apathetic 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 Smithville, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
Whatever court you’re in, being accused of murder is a big deal. But they pale in comparison to federal charges. Federal crimes are prosecuted by some of the best prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Smithville, MO:
- The alleged crime took place near a state border or across a border.
- The alleged crime happened in a place owned by the federal government.
- 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. 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 Smithville, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Smithville, MO Murder Charges
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Follow are some of the defenses we’ll consider:
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You Need a Leading Smithville, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte. Call Now.
Every criminal accusation in Smithville, 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 work in concert with you and fight for your freedom.
Act fast before it’s too late. Talk to an attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to get started now.
