Murder Defense Lawyer, Stewartsville, MO. It’s hard to think of a worse thing to be accused of than murder. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could face capital punishment. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Stewartsville, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But you have someone who can help. You have Combs Waterkotte. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we won’t give up on your case and will explore every avenue to secure a positive outcome. We have defended thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
When you work with our team, you’re getting expert legal advice from day one. You can start crafting your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our contact form online. We’re available 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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How a Murder Defense Lawyer Protects Your Freedom in Stewartsville, MO
The battle for your case starts the moment you contact your Stewartsville, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can train you on the best way to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer alongside you during questioning goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s protecting you against interrogation methods and providing responses that strengthen your story.
In most Stewartsville, 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. If a bail amount is given, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Bail is commonly denied in Stewartsville, MO, murder cases. However, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
After the arraignment, your Stewartsville, MO, homicide defense attorney will start putting together a defensive strategy, 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 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. At Combs Waterkotte, we always prepare a trial-ready, fearless defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. 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, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Stewartsville, MO:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Fight for bail and your freedom before the trial
- Decide on a defense that best fits the unique factors of your case
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Represent you during a trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Stewartsville, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced team of lawyers like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Charges Does a Stewartsville, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when hiring a Stewartsville, MO, murder defense lawyer, it’s important that they know how to fight the specific law you’re accused of breaking.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Stewartsville, 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.
If convicted, you can face either the death penalty 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:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, 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 similar, but generally differ in one key area: Intentions. In most Stewartsville, MO, murder cases, it’s on 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.
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. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Stewartsville, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter charges in Missouri fall into one of two categories:
- Killing someone in what would be second-degree murder, except that the alleged offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
As a Class B Felony, the alleged offender 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 Stewartsville, MO, but does not consist of killing another person on purpose.
Ordinarilly, 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 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.
Similar to first-degree, second-degree manslaughter 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, 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 |
In addition to going to prison, you can suffer numerous collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you ask for help from us, you get a Stewartsville, 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 Stewartsville, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you need a superb murder defense lawyer in Stewartsville, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Stewartsville, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with respect and always be honest with you. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Expertise with the law you’ve been accused of breaking
- 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 Stewartsville, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- Doesn’t have knowledge about the specific law you’ve been accused of violating
- High promises, to the point of being unrealistic
- Rude or cold 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 Stewartsville, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But they pale in comparison to federal charges. Federal crimes are prosecuted by high-level prosecutors, and when you’re facing 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 Stewartsville, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime occurred on federal property.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
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. 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 qualifies for this, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Stewartsville, MO, and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Stewartsville, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will commonly evaluate. At Combs Waterkotte, look for an option that makes the most sense for you. Below are some of the defenses we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Stewartsville, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
A murder charge can ruin your life. But the right murder defense lawyer can save it. Combs Waterkotte’s murder defense lawyers will explore every option available to secure a positive outcome for you. We don’t judge; we listen. We will tell your side of the story and battle for the best outcome possible.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Contact us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to get started now.
