Murder Defense Lawyer, Weston, MO. If you were looking for the worst crime penalties in Missouri, you’d want to start with the punishment for murder. 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 Weston, MO, you could be risking everything.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. Combs Waterkotte is on your side. As one of the top criminal defense law firms in Missouri, we are prepared to fight against any charges. We have fought thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
When you contact our lawyers, you’re in good hands. You can start creating your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or sending us a note online. We’re ready 24/7, because we know emergencies happen outside regular business hours.
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Ways Your Weston, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Freedom
The fight for your freedom starts as soon as you contact your Weston, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your lawyer can train you on the best way to interact with the authorities. Having a lawyer by your side while the police are interviewing you goes beyond just advising you when to stay silent – it’s defening you from advanced interrogation techniques and building your defense in multiple stages.
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 alongside murder. If a bail amount is given, this is usually also done at this time. Though it’s rare for bail to be allowed in murder cases in Weston, MO, we will fight for every opportunity to secure your freedom before trial.
After the arraignment, your Weston, 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 your rights were violated during the investigation. Whatever defense works best for your case, your lawyer 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, fearless 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, your Weston, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- Argue for bail and pre-trial release
- Decide on a defense that best fits the unique factors of your case
- Negotiate with the state for dropped or reduced charges
- Fight for your freedom at trial
- 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 Weston, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Fight?
“Murder” isn’t just a single charge in Missouri, and when hiring a Weston, MO, murder defense lawyer, you want one who knows how to defend your specific charges.
At Combs Waterkotte, we are prepared to defend against any types of murder charges in Weston, 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.
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 has a wider definition than first-degree murder in Missouri. It includes:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone in order to seriously hurt them, then killing them on accident, and
- Attempting to commit another 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 one thing sets them apart: Intentions. In most Weston, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution to prove that the alleged offender took the alleged victim’s life on purpose, without exculpatory circumstances.
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 Weston, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter in Missouri occurs when someone takes one of the following actions:
- Taking a life in what would be 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, 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.
Ordinarilly, this is a Class C Felony, but for certain special victims (either a targeted police officer or a close family member), the sentence 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 ordinarily 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, 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 take their own life | 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 face 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 one of our attorneys, you get a Weston, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
What to Look For in Your Weston, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer
When you’re looking for a superb murder defense lawyer in Weston, MO, you can’t risk your freedom with someone who won’t give you a stellar defense. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Weston, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you with dignity and always be honest with you. Below are the main qualities you want to see:
- Prior experience with your charges
- 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 Weston, 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
- Unreasonably positive predictions, without accounting for potential problems
- Impolite or disinterested 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.
What Turns a Weston, MO, Murder Charge Into a Federal Murder Charge?
Any murder charge is serious. But federal murder charges are at a whole different level. 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.
Murder charges can become federal in many ways, but here are the typical ways it happens in Weston, MO:
- The alleged crime took place in two different states.
- The alleged crime occurred on federal property.
- 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 Weston, MO, and preparations to fight against the United States justice department. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Defenses to Murder Accusations in Weston, MO
Although each case is different, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer is likely to pull from. 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
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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Accused of Murder in Weston, MO? The Murder Defense Lawyers at Combs Waterkotte Will Defend Your Rights
Being accused of homicide in Weston, MO, can be devestating. Without help, it can derail your entire life. But you do have help available. 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 protect your rights.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Speak with one of our representatives right away at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online to protect yourself.
