Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Dearborn, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Dearborn, MO. If you live in MO, you’ve probably known or been around someone who either concealed or open carried a weapon – if you live in Missouri, you have a lot of options for legal weapons and self-defense tools. But even when you act in self-defense, you’re facing a mountain of scrutiny and have to show your innocence.

Many weapons charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. Without the help of a leading Dearborn weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Secure your life. Guard your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert weapons crime defense attorneys, 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 today at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Dearborn, MO?

MO law sets rules for the usage, ownership, and transfer of firearms and other weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. One way they are different is this: MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federal law requires licensed dealers to conduct one, meaning that you’ll still likely need to go through a background check when you purchase a firearm in MO.

In MO, most individuals are permitted to carry a firearm, provided that:

1. In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, and
2. They have not lost their right to carry a firearm.

MO allows its citizens the use of guns to shoot targets and for self-defense, but certain activities are illegal. These activities mostly are those that would endanger others, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or using one while committing another crime.

One important point – so far, this page has mainly covered state laws above, MO allows for individual municipalities to enforce their own more stringent laws related to weapons, so to make sure you’re following Dearborn laws, be sure to go through your local statutes and ask a gun crime lawyer if there’s any part you’re having trouble understanding.

Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Dearborn, MO. Here are some of our specialty areas that we’ve fought cases for in MO:

• 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

Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO

Dearborn, 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 weapons, including pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without any permits.

Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are treated as deadly weapons. With this classification, even though they are not firearms, they typically face the same regulations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

Once again, though, as mentioned above related to guns, different localities are allowed to establish their own regulations, so reach out to a Dearborn weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a specific self-defense device.

MO Weapon Crimes Punishments:

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 Dearborn weapon crimes defense lawyer?

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

When you’re deciding on a Dearborn, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, choosing the right one can make all the difference – you need a lawyer who will fight relentlessly for your rights, and won’t rest until you get the justice you deserve.

Here are some of the main things to look for when choosing a lawyer to represent you:

• Experience: More experienced lawyers have seen more, and will be able to handle more. Our attorneys has considerable experience defending against weapon crime charges, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
• Reputation: If you ask someone about their experience with your defense attorney, you’ll want to hear a glowing review. Combs Waterkotte has a phenomenal reputation amongst previous clients, other law firms, and professional organizations.
• Resources: Solo lawyers will try their best, but for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of elite individuals at your back.
• Approach: It’s important to work with a lawyer 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 your case isn’t diverted and you end up in trial, you don’t want someone only half-prepared. You want someone who knows how to persuade judges and juries. Our lawyers always build our cases as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Dearborn, MO

Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. However, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and cases frequently have less to do with whether you “did it” and more on whether what the defendant did was “justified.”

Here are some of the defense strategies we might use in your defense against Dearborn, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

• Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal charges can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, it’s legal to defend yourself against imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, you can take action to protect another person from harm. Some weapon charges can be related to this in the same way that they can be related to self-defense.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine states that you are sanctioned to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and other people who are in your dwelling. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the degree of force used needs to be proportionate to the threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of Missouri dictates that you if you are permitted to be in a given location, you have the right to defend yourself (even with weapons and force) without needing to retreat first.
• Necessity: Necessity applies to situations where you were forced to do something illegal in order to stop something worse. Perhaps you stole a weapon that you knew was going to be misused. You could be charged with theft, but you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
• Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but another person forced to do so, you can claim duress as a defense. 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: If you didn’t mean to break the law, depending on what exactly it was, a lack of intent can protect you from punishment. For example, giving a blackjack to a person under the age of 18 is illegal without their parents’ permission. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.

Dearborn, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Looking For a Weapon Crimes Defense Attorney in Dearborn, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away

Weapon crimes in Dearborn are no joke. When you’re up against them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense attorney fight against the charges. You need Combs Waterkotte.

With 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 resources and skills that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.

Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.