Murder Defense Lawyer, Wellington, 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 prosecution and jury wish to impose it, you could be up against the death penalty. Without a leading murder defense lawyer in Wellington, MO, the risks are high and your odds of a positive outcome are low.
But you’re not alone. You can call Combs Waterkotte. 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.
With us, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start creating your defense today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. We’re ready 24/7 and will keep you regularly updated as your case progresses.
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How a Murder Defense Lawyer Protects Your Freedom in Wellington, MO
The fight for your freedom starts as soon as you get in touch with your Wellington, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can train you on what to do when you interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer present during questioning goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s protecting you from advanced interrogation methods and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
Most of the time in Wellington, MO, murder cases go through the same first few steps in the system: Arrest, questioning, and arraignment. The arraignment is a time when the state formally tells you what laws they think you’ve violated. 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 Wellington, MO, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
After the arraignment, your Wellington, 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 you could have an alibi. Whatever method you go with, your lawyer will also be in contact with the prosecutor for plea negotiations to see if your charges and/or sentence can be reduced.
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 needed.
In summary, when you work with a leading Wellington, MO, murder defense lawyer, you can expect them to do the following:
- 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
- Argue mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
You don’t want to try and go through the Wellington, MO legal process without a guide. An experienced attorney like Combs Waterkotte will show you the path to the other side.
What Cases Will a Wellington, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when hiring a Wellington, 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 are prepared to defend against any types of murder charges in Wellington, Missouri. Below, we’ve outlined the individual laws and what they mean:
First-Degree Murder
First-Degree Murder in Missouri consists of killing another person on purpose, with a plan. It does not include actions done unintentionally or in the heat of the moment.
The sentence for first-degree murder is either the death sentence or a life sentence in prison without a chance for parole.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-Degree Murder has a wider definition than first-degree murder in Missouri. It includes:
- Killing a person on purpose without a plan,
- Attacking someone with the goal of hurting them badly, then going too far and taking their life, and
- Trying 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 similar, but typically are distinguished by one thing: Intentions. In most Wellington, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender deliberately killed 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. In the following sections, you can read breakdowns of Wellington, Missouri’s manslaughter charges:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter charges in Missouri fall into one of two categories:
- Committing what would ordinarilybe second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- Helping someone take their own life.
As a Class B Felony, a person convicted of voluntary manslaughter 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 if the alleged victim falls into a specific category (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.
This crime is generally 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, 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, alleged offenders can suffer numerous collateral consequences after a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are ready to fight against any of the above murder and manslaughter charges in Wellington. When you work with our team, you get a Wellington, 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 Wellington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
If you need a top-tier murder defense lawyer in Wellington, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Below, we’ve outlined the main things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Top 4 Wellington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
Your murder defense lawyer should treat you with dignity 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 Wellington, 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:
- No experience with your charges
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Arrogant or cold 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 Wellington, MO, Murder Charges Become Federal?
Whatever court you’re in, being accused of murder is a big deal. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. Federal crimes are prosecuted by some of the best prosecutors, and as a result, 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 Wellington, MO:
- The alleged crime stretched across state lines.
- The alleged crime took place on federal land.
- The alleged victim was a federal government employee.
One other important note to be aware of: Dual Sovereignty. The United States allows several criminal charges, often including murder, to be tried in both state and federal court.
If your case qualifies for this, you need a murder defense lawyer who has both personal connections to the prosecuting office in Wellington, MO, and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Wellington, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies that your murder defense lawyer will commonly evaluate. At Combs Waterkotte, we will tailor your defense to the circumstances of your case. Below are some of the options we’ll consider:
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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You Need a Leading Wellington, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte. Call Now.
A murder charge can ruin your life. But the right murder defense lawyer can save it. When you don’t know what to do, Combs Waterkotte is ready to guide you. We will listen to your story. We will represent you and battle for the best outcome possible.
Act fast before it’s too late. Talk to an attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to protect yourself.
