Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense lawyer|Weapon crime defense lawyer Chesterfield, MO}. Gun and weapon charges in Chesterfield, MO are prosecuted aggressively, often based on assumptions rather than facts. Prosecutors frequently equate the presence of a firearm with criminal intent—but that shortcut ignores lawful possession, constitutional protections, and police misconduct. An experienced Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense attorney knows how to expose those weaknesses..
At Combs Waterkotte, we represent individuals throughout Chesterfield and across Missouri who are facing serious weapons and firearms allegations. Whether your case involves possession claims, firearm accusations tied to another offense, concealed weapon issues, or a high-stakes felony weapons charge, our defense team moves fast to protect your rights, challenge illegal searches, and fight for dismissal or reduction.
Your future shouldn’t hinge on assumptions. Contact a trusted Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. With over 60 years of combined experience and more than 10,000 successful cases, Combs Waterkotte is prepared to stand between you and a life-altering conviction.
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Why Weapon Charges in Chesterfield, MO Carry Serious Risk
In Chesterfield, MO, weapons charges almost never exist in a vacuum. Prosecutors routinely attach firearm allegations to other cases—drug investigations, assault claims, domestic incidents, traffic stops, or broader police inquiries. What begins as a routine stop or questioning can quickly turn into a felony-level prosecution with life-altering consequences. This is not a situation where assumptions about lawful possession or constitutional rights will protect you. Once a weapon charge is filed, the stakes rise immediately. Speaking with an experienced Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte early can be the difference between containment and escalation.
A conviction can result in:
- Jail or prison time
- Permanent loss of firearm ownership rights
- A felony record
- Enhanced penalties in future cases
- Immigration and residency complications
- Career and professional licensing damage
Legal Videos
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Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
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Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Firearm & Weapon Offenses We Defend Across the Chesterfield, MO Area
Combs Waterkotte defends clients throughout the Chesterfield, MO area against the full range of Missouri and federal firearm allegations, including:
Unlawful Use of a Weapon (UUW)
Missouri Revised Statute § 571.030: Allegations involving concealed carry violations, displaying a weapon in a threatening manner, discharging a firearm within Chesterfield city limits or from a vehicle, or possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
Illegal or Prohibited Firearm Possession
Pursuant to RSMo. § 571.070, prosecutors may file charges based on claimed prohibited status, such as a prior felony conviction or an active order of protection in the Chesterfield, MO region.
Armed Criminal Action (ACA)
RSMo. § 571.015: Firearm allegations tied to the commission or attempted commission of another felony.
Illegal Transfer or Trafficking of Firearms
Under RSMo. § 571.060, these allegations involve selling, lending, gifting, or otherwise transferring a firearm in violation of Missouri or federal law, including transfers involving individuals legally prohibited from possession.
Ghost Guns & Tampered Serial Numbers
Under RSMo. § 571.050, possession or distribution of firearms without serial numbers—or with altered or removed identifiers—can result in serious criminal charges.
School Zones & Restricted Locations
Allegations involving firearm possession on school property or in locations specifically prohibited by statute or posted notice within the Chesterfield, MO area.
Municipal Weapons Ordinances
Charges arising under city or county weapons ordinances throughout Chesterfield, MO and surrounding municipalities.
Sentencing Enhancements & Repeat-Offender Allegations
Firearm-related enhancements, including persistent or dangerous offender designations tied to drug or violent felony cases.
Federal Gun Charges in the Chesterfield, MO Area
When federal agencies step into a Chesterfield, MO firearm investigation, cases are often indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, dramatically increasing the risk of long-term prison exposure. Common federal charges include 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) for alleged prohibited possession and 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) for firearms allegedly tied to drug or violent offenses—charges that frequently carry mandatory minimum sentences.
Federal gun cases frequently involve parallel state and federal exposure, making early decisions critical. Our Chesterfield, MO weapons defense attorneys bring decades of experience defending federal firearm prosecutions—challenging unlawful searches, suppressing statements, and navigating the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to reduce or eliminate long-term prison risk whenever possible.
Why Clients Across Chesterfield, MO Trust Combs Waterkotte With Weapon Charges
When you’re facing a weapon or firearm charge in Chesterfield, MO, the stakes are immediate and severe. A conviction can mean mandatory prison time, loss of firearm rights, and long-term damage to your record and livelihood. You don’t need a general practitioner—you need a trial-ready defense firm with the resources, experience, and urgency to fight back hard. That’s exactly what Combs Waterkotte delivers.
Personalized, Client-First Representation
At Combs Waterkotte, we don’t run a volume practice. We focus on people. From day one, our weapon crime defense attorneys take the time to understand your circumstances, assess your real risks, and identify the fastest path to protecting your freedom. You’ll work directly with your defense team, receive straight answers, and stay informed at every stage—because your case deserves full attention, not guesswork.
Prepared to Litigate, Ready to Win
Prosecutors know which firms are willing to litigate and which ones aren’t. We prepare every Chesterfield, MO-area weapons case as if it’s going to trial—because that’s how leverage is created. Our firm aggressively challenges illegal stops, unlawful searches, unconstitutional seizures, and weak enhancement allegations. If the state can’t prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, we force the issue. And if trial is the right move, we are fully prepared to take your case before a judge or jury.
Resources That Tip the Scales
Weapon cases often turn on complex legal and technical issues, from ballistics to police procedure. Combs Waterkotte brings the resources necessary to meet those challenges head-on, including investigators, expert consultants, and advanced evidence analysis. We don’t rely on surface-level arguments—we build defenses designed to withstand scrutiny in court.
Decades of Courtroom Experience at the State and Federal Level
Our defense team brings decades of experience handling weapon and firearm cases across Chesterfield, MO, surrounding courts, and federal jurisdictions. We understand how prosecutors build these cases, how judges evaluate firearm allegations, and how federal gun laws can reshape sentencing exposure. That perspective gives our clients a decisive advantage from the very beginning.
Immediate, Strategic Action
Weapons cases move fast—and waiting is not an option. We step in immediately to preserve critical evidence, test the legality of the stop or search, and challenge the state’s theory before it solidifies. By applying pressure early through focused motion practice, we often shift the balance of the case in our clients’ favor.
Honest Assessments. Relentless Advocacy in the Chesterfield, MO Area
We won’t sell false hope or sugarcoat reality. What we offer is transparency, urgency, and an aggressive defense tailored to your situation. From negotiation to trial, Combs Waterkotte is committed to protecting your freedom and standing with you through every phase of the case.
Facing a Chesterfield, MO weapon charge? When you choose a Combs Waterkotte Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense lawyer, you aren’t simply selecting the ideal weapon crime defense lawyer in Chesterfield and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to a knowledgeable weapon crime defense lawyer, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Chesterfield and beyond:
How Weapon Charges Escalate to Felonies in Chesterfield, MO
Weapons charges can move from misdemeanor to felony faster than most people realize. A felony conviction can mean substantial prison time and a lifetime loss of gun rights. That’s why early, aggressive defense matters. Prosecutors in the Chesterfield, MO area often elevate weapons cases to felonies when they claim:
- A qualifying prior criminal record
- Firearm possession during another investigation or arrest
- The accused was legally barred from possession
- The weapon was modified, prohibited, or altered
- Allegations involving minors or protected locations
Defense Strategies We Use in Chesterfield, MO Weapons Cases
Gun cases are rarely as straightforward as prosecutors suggest. Our Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense team dissects every aspect of the state’s case, from the initial stop to the alleged possession, using targeted defense strategies designed to expose weaknesses and suppress unlawful evidence:
- Lack of Knowledge or Intent
The state must prove you knowingly possessed or used a firearm illegally. If the weapon did not belong to you, was hidden from view, or you lacked awareness or control, we challenge the prosecution’s ability to meet its burden. - Justified Use of Force
Missouri law permits the use of force—including deadly force—when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to stop imminent harm or death. Where applicable, we assert self-defense and stand-your-ground protections to dismantle unlawful use of weapon allegations. - Unlawful Police Conduct
Many firearm cases begin with illegal police conduct. If officers lacked probable cause, exceeded the scope of a stop, or conducted an unlawful search, we seek suppression of the firearm and any evidence derived from that violation.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Former Prosecutor Insight. Defense-First Strategy in the Chesterfield, MO Area.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense strategy is shaped by firsthand prosecutorial experience. We know how charging decisions are made, which firearm allegations prosecutors prioritize, and where their cases tend to break under scrutiny.
That advantage allows our Chesterfield, MO defense team to:
- Recognize weak or inflated charges early
- Challenge firearm-related sentencing enhancements
- Apply pressure during negotiations
- Shift control of the case back to the defense
- Proceed confidently to trial when it serves your interests
Prosecutors treat cases differently when they know the defense is prepared, experienced, and unafraid to litigate.
Next Steps After a Weapon Charge in Chesterfield, MO
If you’re facing a firearm-related accusation in Chesterfield, MO:
- 1. Say nothing beyond identifying yourself
- 2. Do not give consent to any search
- 3. Do not assume lawful possession equals no charge
- 4. Speak with an experienced Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense lawyer right away
The earlier we get involved, the more control we have over the outcome.
Get Legal Protection for a Weapon Charge in Chesterfield, MO
A firearm charge doesn’t determine who you are—but hesitation can determine how the case ends. Weapon offenses carry real, immediate risk, and waiting only gives the prosecution time to tighten its grip.
If you’re facing a firearm or weapon charge in Chesterfield, MO, call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a case evaluation with an experienced Chesterfield, MO weapon crime defense lawyer. The sooner we act, the stronger your defense becomes.
