Des Peres, MO weapon crime defense lawyer|Weapon crime defense lawyer Des Peres, MO}. Weapon and gun laws are aggressively enforced throughout the Des Peres, MO area, and prosecutors often pursue these cases with the assumption that a weapon automatically equals danger or criminal intent. That assumption is wrong—and it’s exactly where an experienced Des Peres, MO weapon crime defense lawyer can make the difference.
Combs Waterkotte provides aggressive defense for clients charged with firearm and weapon offenses throughout Des Peres and Missouri. From unlawful possession allegations to concealed carry violations, weapon enhancements, and felony-level gun charges, our team acts immediately to scrutinize the stop, suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, and dismantle the prosecution’s case.
Your future shouldn’t hinge on assumptions. Contact a trusted Des Peres, 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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Weapon Charges in Des Peres, MO Can Escalate Fast
Weapon offenses in the Des Peres, MO area are frequently charged alongside other allegations rather than on their own. Prosecutors often add gun charges to cases involving controlled substances, violent crime accusations, domestic disputes, traffic-related stops, or broader investigations. These add-on charges dramatically increase exposure—even when the underlying incident started as something minor. Relying on general gun-rights assumptions or waiting to see how the case “plays out” is risky. Once a weapon charge is filed, prosecutors treat the case as high priority. Early intervention by a seasoned Des Peres, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte allows critical evidence to be challenged before the damage is done.
Potential consequences include:
- Custodial sentences
- Permanent loss of firearm ownership rights
- Felony-level convictions
- Enhanced penalties in future cases
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Long-term career and licensing setbacks
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Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
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Weapon & Firearm Charges We Defend in and Around Des Peres, MO
Combs Waterkotte defends clients throughout the Des Peres, MO area against the full range of Missouri and federal firearm allegations, including:
Unlawful Use of a Weapon (UUW)
As defined by RSMo. § 571.030, these cases can include alleged concealed carry violations, brandishing or threatening conduct, firing a weapon inside Des Peres limits or from a vehicle, or possessing a firearm while under the influence.
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
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 Des Peres, MO region.
Armed Criminal Action (ACA)
Charged under RSMo. § 571.015, this enhancement applies when the state alleges a firearm was involved during 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 & Defaced Serial Numbers
RSMo. § 571.050: Possession or transfer of unserialized firearms or weapons with altered or removed serial numbers.
School Zones & Restricted Locations
Cases involving alleged firearm possession on school campuses or other restricted or clearly posted locations in the Des Peres, MO area.
Local & Municipal Weapons Violations
Charges arising under city or county weapons ordinances throughout Des Peres, MO and surrounding municipalities.
Sentence Enhancements & Status Allegations
Allegations that seek increased penalties based on firearm involvement, prior convictions, or “dangerous” or “persistent” offender classifications connected to drug or violent felony cases.
Federal Gun Charges in the Des Peres, MO Area
Firearm cases in Des Peres, MO don’t always stay in state court. When agencies like the ATF or FBI become involved, prosecutions are often moved to the Eastern District of Missouri, where federal sentencing rules apply and prison exposure increases dramatically. Prosecutors commonly rely on statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) for alleged prohibited possession and 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which can impose mandatory minimum sentences tied to alleged drug or violent offenses.
These cases often involve overlapping state and federal jurisdiction, requiring immediate and strategic defense decisions. Our Des Peres, MO weapon crimes defense team has decades of experience handling federal firearm prosecutions, challenging illegal searches and seizures, attacking the admissibility of statements, and positioning cases strategically under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines from the very beginning.
Why Combs Waterkotte is the Right Choice for Weapon Charge Defense in Des Peres, MO
When you’re facing a weapon or firearm charge in Des Peres, 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
No two weapon cases are alike—and we don’t treat them that way. Our defense team takes a hands-on approach from the first consultation, identifying what’s truly at stake for you and tailoring a strategy around your priorities. You’ll have direct access to your attorneys, clear communication, and honest guidance throughout the process.
Prepared to Litigate, Ready to Win
Strong outcomes come from strength at trial. We prepare every weapons case for litigation, even when resolution is possible. That preparation allows us to challenge illegal searches, improper seizures, questionable firearm classifications, and unsupported enhancements with confidence. Prosecutors recognize when a firm is prepared to take a case the distance—and that recognition matters.
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.
Deep Knowledge of Missouri and Federal Firearm Prosecutions
Our defense team brings decades of experience handling weapon and firearm cases across Des Peres, 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.
Early Intervention That Changes Outcomes
Weapon charges in Des Peres, MO move quickly, and so do we. Early intervention can mean the difference between suppressed evidence and a conviction. We move immediately to preserve video, challenge probable cause, file strategic motions, and control the narrative before the prosecution gains momentum. Speed, preparation, and pressure are central to how we defend our clients.
Clear Guidance and Tireless Representation
We don’t promise outcomes we can’t control. What we do promise is effort, urgency, transparency, and a defense strategy built to protect your freedom, your rights, and your future. Whether that means dismissal, reduction, or a hard-fought trial, Combs Waterkotte stands with you every step of the way.
Arrested with a firearm in the Des Peres, MO area? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer in the Des Peres, MO area, you aren’t just choosing a leading weapon crime defense attorney in Des Peres and throughout Missouri – you’re safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to an experienced weapon crime defense lawyer, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Des Peres and beyond:
When Weapon Charges Become Felonies in Des Peres, MO
Felony weapons convictions can carry years in prison and permanently strip you of your firearm rights. Early legal intervention is critical. Weapon crimes in Des Peres, MO can quickly escalate to felony charges, especially when prosecutors allege:
- A qualifying prior criminal record
- A firearm was connected to another alleged offense
- The accused was legally barred from possession
- Altered or prohibited weapons
- The incident involved minors or restricted locations
Common Defenses Our Attorneys Use in Des Peres, MO Weapon Crime Charges
Gun cases are rarely as straightforward as prosecutors suggest. Our Des Peres, 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. - Self-Defense Under Missouri Law
Missouri law protects individuals who act in reasonable self-defense. If the evidence shows you acted to prevent immediate harm or death, we assert self-defense and stand-your-ground rights to contest weapon-related accusations. - Constitutional Violations by Law Enforcement
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 Des Peres, MO Area.
Combs Waterkotte brings a critical advantage to Des Peres, MO weapon crime defense: we understand how prosecutors think. We know which cases they push, which evidence they rely on, and where their cases are weakest.
That insight allows us to:
- Recognize weak or inflated charges early
- Challenge firearm-related sentencing enhancements
- Challenge firearm enhancements
- Negotiate from strength—not fear
- Force the state to prove its case at trial when necessary
Prosecutors treat cases differently when they know the defense is prepared, experienced, and unafraid to litigate.
What to Do If You’re Facing a Weapon Charge in Des Peres, MO
If you’re facing a firearm-related accusation in Des Peres, MO:
- 1. Do not make statements to police
- 2. Do not give consent to any search
- 3. Do not assume possession alone tells the whole story
- 4. Contact an experienced Des Peres, MO weapon crime defense lawyer right away
Early intervention creates leverage. Delay gives the prosecution momentum.
Talk to a Weapon Crimes Defense Attorney in Des Peres, MO Now
A weapon charge does not define you. But, how you respond to it can define your future. The consequences are too serious to wait or guess.
If you’re facing a firearm or weapons allegation in Des Peres, MO, call Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to speak with a seasoned Des Peres, MO weapon crime defense attorney. The sooner your defense begins, the more control you keep over your future.
