Murder Defense Lawyer, Weatherby Lake, MO. Missouri takes murder cases seriously and punishes the alleged offender harshly. 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 Weatherby Lake, MO, your future is looking bleak.
But there is another way forward. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. 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.
When you work with our team, you’re getting expert legal advice from day one. You can start creating your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re prepared to assist 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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What a Murder Defense Lawyer in Weatherby Lake, MO, Will Do For You
The defense process begins as soon as you first call your Weatherby Lake, MO, murder defense lawyer. Whether or not you’ve already been arrested, your lawyer can give you tips on the best way to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer in your corner while the police are interviewing you is more than just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you from pressing interrogation techniques and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
After the arrest (and typically questioning), you’ll be given an arraignment hearing, where you are formally charged with a crime. 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. In cases where bail is allowed, this is usually also done at this time. The courts in Weatherby Lake, MO, don’t often allow bail in murder cases, but, we don’t just assume it’s a lost cause, and will argue for bail for each of our clients.
Now that you formally know the charges you’re facing, your Weatherby Lake, MO, homicide defense attorney will recommend you on a defensive strategy, if they haven’t already been talking with you about them. Castle doctrine could apply in your case, or this is a case of mistaken identity. Whatever defense works best for your case, your attorney will also talk to the state about 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. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, powerful 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 if applicable.
In summary, here is how a murder defense lawyer protects your freedom in Weatherby Lake, MO:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- 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
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
You don’t want to try and go through the Weatherby Lake, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced legal team like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a Weatherby Lake, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when you work with a Weatherby Lake, 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 Weatherby Lake, 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.
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:
- Taking someone’s life in the heat of the moment,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, 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 typically one thing sets them apart: Intentions. To find someone guilty of murder, normally the state has to prove that the alleged offender purposely caused the death of the alleged victim, 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. We’ll outline the different types of manslaughter in Weatherby Lake, 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 in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- 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.
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 still involves one person killing another person on accident. Missouri defines it as acting criminally negligent and having someone die as a result.
A second-degree manslaughter conviction is typically a Class E Felony, but can be a Class D Felony for special victims.
Below, we’ve summarized the definitions and penalties for Missouri’s different murder and manslaughter charges:
| 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 |
In addition to going to prison, people can suffer countless collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in Weatherby Lake. When you work with us, you get a Weatherby Lake, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows all the approaches to take in search of a positive outcome for your case.
What You Need in a Weatherby Lake, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
When you’re looking for a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Weatherby Lake, 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 Weatherby Lake, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with dignity and always be honest with you. 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 history of success
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a case number
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Weatherby Lake, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Red Flags:
If you notice any of the following red flags, think carefully before moving forward with that attorney:
- No experience with your 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.
When Do Weatherby Lake, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
State murder charges are dangerous on their own. But they pale in comparison to federal charges. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the top prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer at your side.
For a federal prosecutor to take a murder case over from the Weatherby Lake, MO courts, it’s normally because of one of the following:
- 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.
Murder charges can fall under a special circumstance in Weatherby Lake, 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 can fall under dual sovereignty, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Weatherby Lake, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Weatherby Lake, MO
Every client has unique circumstances. That said, 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. Follow are some of the possibilities 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 Weatherby Lake, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Fighting a murder charge in Weatherby Lake, MO, isn’t something you can take lightly. You need a team of attorneys that can protect your freedom. When you don’t know what to do, Combs Waterkotte is ready to guide you. We will listen to your story. We will tell your side of the story and fight for your freedom.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Talk to an attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to start fighting your case.
