Murder Defense Lawyer, Waverly, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. 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 Waverly, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But you’re not alone. You can call 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 experience fighting thousands of cases, including defending homicide charges.
With us, you’re getting expert legal advice from day one. You can start creating your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or reaching out to us online. We’re ready 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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What a Murder Defense Lawyer in Waverly, MO, Will Do For You
The battle for your case begins the moment you first call your Waverly, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can give you tips on how to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in your corner when you interact with investigators is more than just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you from advanced interrogation methods 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 possible that you’ll face charges of armed criminal action or other violent crimes in addition to murder. If a bail amount is given, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Waverly, MO, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
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 picked out one previously that is a good fit for your case. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or your rights were violated during the investigation. 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, powerful 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 needed.
In summary, when you work with a leading Waverly, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- Manage your interactions with investigators
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Craft a tailored defense strategy
- Bargain with the prosecutor for more lenient charges
- Represent you during a trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
Don’t try to go through the Waverly, MO court system alone. An experienced attorney like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a Waverly, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when you work with a Waverly, 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 Waverly, 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. Accidental deaths or impulsive actions do not qualify for first-degree murder charges in Missouri.
If convicted, you can face either the death sentence or a life sentence in prison without an option for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder can result from more situations than first-degree murder. These include:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Attempting to commit a different felony, if it causes someone’s death.
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 normally are distinguished by one thing: 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.
Manslaughter is different in that intentions aren’t as important – if one person takes another’s life, they can be charged with 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 supposed offender was reasonably out of control of their emotions.
- Helping someone take their own life.
As a Class B Felony, you can 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.
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 in such a way that causes someone’s death.
This crime is typically a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special 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, 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, alleged offenders can suffer numerous collateral consequences because of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you work with 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
If you need a superb murder defense lawyer in Waverly, MO, you need to carefully evaluate your options. 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 well and tell you your best paths forward. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- 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 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
- Dismissive or disinterested attitude
- A lack of planning on ways to fight your charges
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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.
What Turns a Waverly, 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 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 Waverly, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal agent.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Waverly, MO: 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 intimate knowledge of local Waverly, MO, courts and the strength to take on the United States government. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Waverly, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will commonly evaluate. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Here are some of the defenses 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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This Decision Matters. Don’t Risk Your Life. Work With Combs Waterkotte’s Waverly, MO, Murder Defense Lawyers
Every criminal accusation in Waverly, MO, needs to be taken seriously. And murder even moreso. 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 tell your side of the story and battle for the best outcome possible.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Contact us any time of day at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to start fighting your case.
