Murder Defense Lawyer, Windsor, MO. Murder charges are arguably the most serious criminal charges you can face in Missouri. First-degree murder can result in a life sentence. Or if the alleged crime was especially heinous, you could face capital punishment. Without a expert murder defense lawyer in Windsor, MO, it’s hard to fight against these consequences.
But you don’t have to try and fight it without help. 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 fought thousands of cases, including against murder accusations.
When you work with our team, you are treated like a person, not a case number. You can start crafting your defense right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or sending us a note online. We’re ready 24/7 and are ready to help in emergencies.
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What a Murder Defense Lawyer in Windsor, MO, Will Do For You
The defense process starts as soon as you get in touch with your Windsor, MO, murder defense lawyer. If you’re worried about being arrested, your attorney can train you on the best way to interact with investigators. Having a lawyer alongside you when you interact with investigators goes beyond just telling you to stay silent – it’s defening you against pressing interrogation methods and giving answers that help your case, not hurt it.
In most Windsor, MO criminal cases, there will be an arrest, interview, and arraignment. The arraignment is a time when the prosecution officially accuses you of a crime, in this case, murder. It’s common in Missouri for defendants to face charges of armed criminal action or other violent crimes in addition to murder. In cases where bail is allowed, the arraignment is also the time when this is arranged. Bail is commonly denied in Windsor, MO, murder cases. However, we won’t just give in, and will argue for your pretrial release.
Once you’ve made it through your arraignment, your Windsor, 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 method you go with, your attorney will also explore options for 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. Our lawyers always prepare a trial-ready, ferocious defense and will use it to defend you all the way to the final verdict. 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 applicable.
In summary, your Windsor, MO, murder defense lawyer will do the following:
- Protect you from mistakes during interviews
- 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
- If needed, advocate for lighter sentencing
The legal process can be hard to navigate. An expert attorney like Combs Waterkotte will help you make it through.
What Cases Will a Windsor, MO, Murder Defense Attorney Take?
Missouri murder charges take a variety of forms, and when hiring a Windsor, MO, murder defense lawyer, you want one who knows how to defend your specific charges.
At Combs Waterkotte, we will fight against all kinds of murder charges in Windsor, Missouri. To learn more about what they are, read the breakdowns below.:
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 potential punishment after a conviction is either the death penalty 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:
- Intentionally killing someone,
- Attacking someone in an attempt to severely injure them, then unintentionally killing them, and
- Trying 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 generally differ in one key area: Intentions. In most Windsor, MO, murder cases, it’s on the prosecution 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 Windsor, MO, below:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary Manslaughter has two different definitions in Missouri:
- Committing what would normally be second-degree murder, except that the supposed offender was in a circumstance where a normal person could not control themselves.
- Assisting someone in the commission of suicide.
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), the sentence can be increased to a Class B Felony.
Second-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
Second-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter is similar to first-degree involuntary manslaughter. 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 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, 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 |
On top of the formal penalties, alleged offenders can face numerous collateral consequences as a result of a conviction.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending a variety of murder and manslaughter charges in Missouri. When you call our team, you get a Windsor, MO, murder defense lawyer who knows how to build you a strong defense.
How to Pick the Right Murder Defense Lawyer in Windsor, MO
If you need a high-quality murder defense lawyer in Windsor, MO, it’s important to take the time to ensure you’re going with the right choice. Here are the things you want (and don’t want) in your attorney:
Top 4 Windsor, MO, Murder Defense Lawyer Qualities:
The law firm you work with should treat you well and have a plan for how to handle your case. When you pick someone to fight for you, you want them to embody the following:
- Knowledge about the charge’s specifics
- A history of victories
- Someone who treats you like a person, not a paycheck
- Honest advice, even when it’s hard to hear
Top 4 Windsor, 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 Windsor, 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 some of the best prosecutors, and because of that, you need a high-level federal murder defense lawyer to match.
Here are common circumstances in Windsor, 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 occurred on federal property.
- The alleged victim was a federal government employee.
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 local connections in Windsor, MO, and a high-level team with the skills needed to take on a federal prosecutor. Fortunately, Combs Waterkotte has both.
Common Windsor, MO, Murder Charge Defenses
While every case is unique, there are some criminal defense strategies which your murder defense lawyer will likely consider. At Combs Waterkotte, we will listen to your story and find something that will fit you the best. Below are some of the defenses we’ll consider:
- Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
- Battered Spouse Syndrome
- Castle Doctrine
- Defense of Others
- Self-Defense
- Stand Your Ground
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If You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer in Windsor, MO, You Need Combs Waterkotte
Being accused of homicide in Windsor, 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 represent you and battle for the best outcome possible.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds its case. Speak with one of our representatives now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to protect yourself.
