Lexington, MO weapon crime defense lawyer|Weapon crime defense lawyer Lexington, MO}. Weapon and gun laws are aggressively enforced throughout the Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO weapon crime defense lawyer can make the difference.
At Combs Waterkotte, we defend individuals accused of weapons and firearms offenses in Lexington and across Missouri. Whether the charge involves unlawful possession, allegations tied to another crime, carrying a concealed weapon, or a felony weapons offense, we move quickly to protect your rights, challenge the evidence, and fight to keep a conviction off your record.
If you’re facing a weapons charge in Lexington, MO, time matters. Speak with a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. With more than 60 years of combined experience and over 10,000 cases handled, we know how to fight—and win—serious weapons cases.
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Weapon Charges in Lexington, MO Are High-Risk Cases
Weapon offenses in the Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte allows critical evidence to be challenged before the damage is done.
A conviction can result in:
- Jail or prison time
- Permanent loss of firearm rights
- A felony record
- Increased penalties in future criminal matters
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Serious harm to employment and professional licensing
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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?
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Firearm & Weapon Offenses We Defend Across the Lexington, MO Area
Combs Waterkotte provides aggressive defense for clients in and around Lexington, MO who are charged under Missouri or federal firearm laws. Our experience includes defending cases involving:
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 Lexington limits or from a vehicle, or possessing a firearm while under the influence.
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 Lexington, MO region.
Armed Criminal Action (ACA)
RSMo. § 571.015: Allegations asserting that a firearm was used, displayed, or possessed in connection with the commission or attempted commission of another felony offense.
Unlawful Firearm Transfer & Weapons Trafficking
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
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 Lexington, MO area.
City-Level Weapons Code Violations
Municipal weapons charges filed under local ordinances throughout Lexington, MO and nearby jurisdictions.
Sentencing Enhancements & Repeat-Offender 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 Firearm Charges in Lexington, MO
When federal agencies step into a Lexington, 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.
These cases often involve overlapping state and federal jurisdiction, requiring immediate and strategic defense decisions. Our Lexington, 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 Choose Combs Waterkotte for Weapon Crime Defense in Lexington, MO?
When you’re facing a weapon or firearm charge in Lexington, 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.
Aggressive, Trial-Ready Strategy
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.
Deep Resources That Strengthen Your Defense
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 attorneys have over six decades of combined experience defending weapon and firearm charges in Lexington, MO, surrounding municipalities, and the Eastern District of Missouri. We understand how local prosecutors charge these cases, how judges handle bond and sentencing, and how federal firearm statutes and mandatory minimums change the landscape. That insight allows us to make smarter strategic decisions at every stage of your case.
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 Lexington, 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.
Arrested with a firearm in the Lexington, MO area? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer in or around Lexington, MO, you aren’t just partnering with a top-rated weapon crime defense lawyer in Lexington and throughout Missouri – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with an experienced weapon crime defense lawyer, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Lexington and beyond:
- Traffic Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Felony Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
What Turns a Weapon Charge Into a Felony in Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO can quickly escalate to felony charges, especially when prosecutors allege:
- Prior felony convictions
- Use or possession during another alleged crime
- The accused was legally barred from possession
- The weapon was modified, prohibited, or altered
- Incidents involving schools, minors, or posted locations
Defense Strategies We Use in Lexington, MO Weapons Cases
Many Missouri gun cases are driven by presumption rather than proof. At Combs Waterkotte, our Lexington, MO weapons defense attorneys challenge those assumptions head-on, developing defenses grounded in evidence, procedure, and constitutional law:
- No Knowing Control or Possession
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. - Lawful Self-Defense & Stand-Your-Ground
Missouri recognizes the lawful use of force, including deadly force, in self-defense when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent harm or death. When applicable, we assert self-defense and stand-your-ground protections to challenge unlawful use of weapon allegations. - Illegal Stops, Searches, or Seizures
Many gun charges arise from illegal stops or searches in Lexington, MO. If officers violated your constitutional rights by searching your vehicle, person, or property without proper legal justification, we move to have the firearm—and the entire case—thrown out.
Lafayette County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Lafayette County and Missouri.
Prosecutor Experience. Defense Built to Apply Pressure in Lexington, MO.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO defense team to:
- Spot pressure points early in the case
- Challenge firearm-related sentencing enhancements
- Expose weak firearm or status-based allegations
- Negotiate from strength—not fear
- 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 Lexington, MO
If law enforcement has contacted you, detained you, or made an arrest involving a firearm in or around Lexington, MO:
- 1. Do not answer questions without counsel
- 2. Do not consent to searches of your vehicle, home, or phone
- 3. Do not rely on assumptions about “legal” possession
- 4. Contact an experienced Lexington, MO weapon crime defense lawyer immediately
A prepared defense changes how prosecutors evaluate risk—and how far they’re willing to push a case.
Get Legal Protection for a Weapon Charge in Lexington, MO
Weapon charges carry consequences that can follow you for life—but they don’t have to. What matters most is how quickly and strategically you respond once the state gets involved.
If you’re facing a firearm or weapons allegation in Lexington, MO, call Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to speak with a seasoned Lexington, MO weapon crime defense attorney. The sooner your defense begins, the more control you keep over your future.
