Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Cleveland, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Cleveland, MO. If you live in MO, you’ve probably known or been around someone who either concealed or open carried a weapon – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But even when you act in self-defense, you’re facing a mountain of scrutiny and have to show your innocence.

A high portion of weapon crime charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. Without the help of a leading Cleveland weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could permanently throw your life off course for just protecting yourself and your family.

Protect your life. Guard your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. We are committed to giving you the strongest defense possible and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.

Get in contact now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Cleveland, MO?

MO law defines what you can and can’t do with firearms and other weapons. But that’s not all you have to worry about in MO: There are still federal laws that affect the availability and use of self-defense tools. Here’s an interesting example: MO does not require a background check for individuals to purchase a gun, but federally-licensed dealers are required to perform one, meaning that most MO gun transfers still require a background check.

In MO, lawful individuals are permitted to carry a gun, provided that:

1. They do not bring it into schools, government offices, places of worship, or other restricted areas; and
2. Nothing has happened to lead that person to lose their right to carry a weapon.

MO allows its citizens the use of guns to shoot targets and for self-defense, but certain activities are not legal. These actions mostly are ones that would put others’ wellbeing at risk, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, firing one over a highway, or firing it into a building.

One thing to note before we move on – so far, this page has mainly covered state laws above, MO allows for individual municipalities to set up their own restrictions on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Cleveland laws, be sure to check your local statutes and consult with a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.

Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

While there are a variety of weapons charges you can face in Cleveland, MO, here are some of the most common types of cases that we’ve helped defend at Combs Waterkotte:

• Unlawful Use of a Weapon
• Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Transport, and Repair of Certain Weapons
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit
• Possession of an Illegal Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated
• Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
• Federal Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Federal Weapons/Firearm Offenses
• Other Gun Charges
• Other Weapons Offenses

Other Types of Weapon Laws in MO

Cleveland, MO laws don’t stop at guns, though: You also need to be aware of restrictions for non-firearm self-defense items. Common self-defense tools, including pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without any permits.

Knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are treated as dangerous weapons. Because of this, even though they are not firearms, they generally have the same limitations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

Once again, though, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different municipalities are allowed to establish their own regulations, so get in touch with a Cleveland weapons law expert if the statute is unclear regarding a particular self-defense implement.

MO Weapon Crimes Penalties:

The penalties for alleged weapon crimes in MO are steep. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney early:

When you look at the potential fallout of a conviction, why would you not hire a Cleveland weapon crimes defense lawyer?

What to Look For in a Cleveland, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer

When you’re hiring a Cleveland, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need an attorney who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and won’t rest until you get the justice you deserve.

Below, we’ve listed the important qualifications you should watch out for when hiring a Cleveland defense attorney:

• Experience: More experienced lawyers have seen more, and will be able to handle more. Our lawyers has substantial experience defending weapon crimes cases, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience and over 10,000 cases handled.
• Reputation: When people talk about your lawyer, you want to hear good things. Combs Waterkotte has a phenomenal reputation amongst previous clients, fellow lawyers, and professional societies.
• Resources: Solo lawyers will try their best, but for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals on your side.
• Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts clients first. At Combs Waterkotte, we treat your case as if it were our own, and we keep you informed on any updates with your case.
• Ferocious Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who’s been in this situation before. Our attorneys always prepare our cases as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.

Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Cleveland, MO

Weapon crimes can be defended in similar ways to many other criminal allegations. That said, they are more likely to involve tactics like claiming self-defense, and cases can focus less on whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”

In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense tactics our team might use in your defense against Cleveland, MO, weapon crimes charges:

• Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal accusations can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you have the right to protect yourself from imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Just like with self-defense, you can take action to protect another person from harm. Some weapon charges can be dropped if this is the case, just like with self-defense.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine dictates that you are authorized to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and others who are in your dwelling. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the amount and type of force you use needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
• Stand Your Ground: An extension of the castle doctrine, the stand your ground law in Missouri determines that you have no requirement to retreat before using force (including weapons) to defend yourself, as long as you were permitted to be in that location in the first place.
• Necessity: The defense of necessity acknowledges that you committed the illegal act, but provides an excuse as to why you shouldn’t be punished. Perhaps you knew someone at risk of self harm, and to protect them, gave their weapons to someone who legally wasn’t allowed to possess them. This is technically against the law, but your actions were well-intended to prevent a greater harm.
• Duress: If you weren’t a willing participant in a criminal action, but someone forced you to do so, duress could be a valid excuse. An example of this might be if you removed the serial numbers of a firearm, defacing it, but only did so because someone threatened you.
• Lack of Intent: Depending on the exact charge, you might be able to claim that your violation was unintentional. For example, giving a blackjack to someone younger than 18 is not allowed without approval from their parent/guardian. However, if you honestly thought the person was older, you would not have had intent.

Cleveland, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Facing Weapon Crimes Charges in Cleveland, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Today

Weapon crime charges in Cleveland are serious business. And if you’re being charged with committing them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to protect your rights. You need Combs Waterkotte.

When you hire us, you’re not just getting a law firm that will take the first deal offered and call it a day. Our team is entirely focused on finding good results for your case, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and expertice that you need in your corner.

Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or let us know your charges online for a free, confidential consultation.