Murder Defense Lawyer, Waverly, MO. If you were looking for the worst crime penalties in Missouri, you’d want to start with the punishment for murder. Even lower-level murder accusations can result in years in prison. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Waverly, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But you have someone who can help. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. As one of the premier criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we fight to protect our clients’ rights and freedom. We have experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
When you contact our lawyers, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start crafting your defense now by calling (314) 900-HELP or reaching out to us online. We’re prepared to assist 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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Actions Your Murder Defense Lawyer in Waverly, MO Will Take to Defend You
The battle for your case starts the moment you contact your Waverly, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your lawyer can train you on how to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer alongside you when you interact with investigators goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you against pressing interrogation techniques and providing responses that strengthen your story.
After the arrest (and typically questioning), you’ll be given an arraignment hearing, where you are formally charged with a crime. It’s common in Missouri for defendants to be charged with armed criminal action or other violent crimes in addition to murder. In cases where bail is allowed, this is usually also done at this time. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Waverly, MO, we won’t just give in, and will argue for your pretrial release.
Once you’ve made it through your arraignment, your Waverly, 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. Regardless of the strategy, your attorney will also talk to the state about plea negotiations to see if they can get the prosecution to lower or drop charges.
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, ferocious defense and won’t back down in the courtroom. We stick with you and fight until you get the justice you deserve. This even applies after the verdict, where we can also assist with sentencing advocacy if applicable.
In summary, your Waverly, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect your rights during interrogations
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- 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
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An expert lawyer like Combs Waterkotte will see you to the other side.
What Charges Does a Waverly, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when you work with a Waverly, MO, murder defense lawyer, it’s important that they understand exactly what the accusations are.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Waverly, 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.
The sentence for first-degree murder is either the death penalty or a life sentence in prison without the possibility of 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 killing them on accident, and
- Attempting to commit a different felony, if it causes someone’s death.
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. In most Waverly, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender purposely caused the death of 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 Waverly, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- 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, 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.
Normally, 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 (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 typically 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 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, people can face 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 Waverly, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Waverly, MO
When you’re looking for a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Waverly, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 Waverly, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with respect and have a plan for how to handle your case. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- Prior experience with your charges
- A track record of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Waverly, 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:
- Lack of experience with murder charges
- Promises of unrealistic outcomes
- Rude or cold 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 Waverly, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
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 when you’re facing that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
Here are common circumstances in Waverly, MO, that can lead to a murder charge becoming federal:
- 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 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 you’re facing these types of charges, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both intimate knowledge of local Waverly, MO, courts and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Possible Defenses Against Waverly, MO Murder Charges
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. Below are some of the options 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 Waverly, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Being accused of homicide in Waverly, MO, can be devestating. Without help, it can derail your entire life. But you do have help available. 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 work in concert with you and battle for the best outcome possible.
Build your defense now and maximize your chances for success. Speak with a lawyer any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to start fighting your case.
