Meramec Township, MO weapon crime defense lawyer|Weapon crime defense lawyer Meramec Township, MO}. Gun and weapon charges in Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township, MO weapon crime defense attorney knows how to expose those weaknesses..
At Combs Waterkotte, we represent individuals throughout Meramec Township 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.
Call a Meramec Township, MO weapon crime defense lawyer right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation and to protect your rights, future, and freedom. The Combs Waterkotte defense team has over 60 years of combined experience and has successfully handled more than 10,000 cases in and around Meramec Township and across Missouri.
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Why Weapon Charges in Meramec Township, MO Carry Serious Risk
In Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte early can be the difference between containment and escalation.
A conviction can result in:
- Incarceration in jail or state prison
- Permanent loss of firearm rights
- Felony-level convictions
- Enhanced penalties in future cases
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- 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 Meramec Township, MO Area
Combs Waterkotte defends clients throughout the Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township 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 Meramec Township, 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 & Altered Firearm Identification
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 Meramec Township, MO area.
City-Level Weapons Code Violations
Local code violations across the Meramec Township, MO region and neighboring municipalities.
Firearm Enhancements & Offender Status Allegations
Sentence enhancements and status-based allegations, including persistent offender or dangerous offender designations tied to firearm involvement in drug or violent felony prosecutions.
Federal Weapon Crimes in Meramec Township, MO
When federal agencies step into a Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township, MO
Weapon and firearm charges in Meramec Township, MO move fast—and the consequences can be life-changing. Mandatory prison exposure, permanent loss of gun rights, and a felony record are all on the table. This is not a situation for a lawyer who dabbles in criminal defense. You need a battle-tested firm with the experience, manpower, and urgency to confront the prosecution head-on. That’s where Combs Waterkotte stands apart.
A Defense Built Around You
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.
Relentless Trial Preparation
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
Firearm cases often hinge on technical details most firms overlook. We dig deeper—using a wide network of resources including investigators, forensic experts, former law enforcement consultants, and advanced evidence review to challenge the prosecution’s narrative. Combs Waterkotte invests the time and resources necessary to dismantle weak cases and put you in the strongest possible position.
Proven Experience in Missouri & Federal Courts
Our defense team brings decades of experience handling weapon and firearm cases across Meramec Township, 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.
Fast Action When it Matters Most
Weapon charges in Meramec Township, 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.
Honest Assessments. Relentless Advocacy in the Meramec Township, MO Area
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.
Facing a Meramec Township, MO weapon charge? When you choose a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer in or around Meramec Township, MO, you aren’t only selecting the ideal weapon crime defense lawyer in and around Meramec Township, MO – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to an esteemed weapon crime defense attorney, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Meramec Township and beyond:
What Turns a Weapon Charge Into a Felony in Meramec Township, MO?
Not every weapons arrest starts as a felony—but many end there. Once prosecutors pursue felony-level charges, the penalties become severe, including long prison sentences and permanent loss of firearm privileges. In the Meramec Township, MO area, weapons cases are most often elevated when the state alleges:
- Prior felony convictions
- Firearm possession during another investigation or arrest
- The accused was legally barred from possession
- Possession of restricted or altered firearms
- Incidents involving schools, minors, or posted locations
How Combs Waterkotte Defends Weapon Charges in Meramec Township, MO
Weapon crime cases in Meramec Township and elsewhere across Missouri are often built on assumptions—not solid evidence. At Combs Waterkotte, our Meramec Township, MO firearm defense lawyers attack those assumptions using defenses tailored to the facts of your case, including:
- 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 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
Firearms discovered through unconstitutional police actions cannot be used in court. When law enforcement violates Fourth Amendment protections, we pursue motions to suppress the weapon and, in many cases, seek dismissal of the charges entirely.
St. Charles County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Charles County and Missouri.
Prosecutor Experience. Defense Built to Apply Pressure in Meramec Township, MO.
Combs Waterkotte brings a critical advantage to Meramec Township, 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 perspective enables us 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
When prosecutors recognize that the defense is prepared to litigate aggressively, the entire posture of the case changes.
If You’re Under Investigation for a Weapon Charge in Meramec Township, MO
If law enforcement has contacted you, detained you, or made an arrest involving a firearm in or around Meramec Township, MO:
- 1. Do not make statements to police
- 2. Do not consent to searches
- 3. Do not assume lawful possession equals no charge
- 4. Contact a skilled Meramec Township, MO weapon crime defense lawyer right away
A prepared defense changes how prosecutors evaluate risk—and how far they’re willing to push a case.
Speak With a Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer in Meramec Township, MO Right Away
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 weapon charge in Meramec Township, MO, call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a case evaluation with an experienced Meramec Township, MO weapon crime defense lawyer. The sooner we act, the stronger your defense becomes.
