Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Excelsior Estates, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Excelsior Estates, MO. It’s not uncommon for somebody in MO to carry a weapon on themselves, even as simple as a pocket knife – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But you can still face serious criminal charges if you improperly use a weapon.

Many weapon crime charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. Without the help of a leading Excelsior Estates weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just carrying a weapon in the wrong place.

Secure your life. Safeguard your freedom. Contact Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. We are dedicated to our clients and will fight to get you the best possible outcome against your criminal weapons charges.

Start your defence right away at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Excelsior Estates, MO?

MO law covers topics like purchase, possession, and use of guns and other weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. Here’s an interesting example: MO does not address background checks in the sale or transfer of firearms, but federally-licensed dealers are required 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, the majority of people are permitted to carry a gun, so long as:

1. They do not carry it into certain locations, including schools, government buildings, airports, churches, etc., and
2. They have not lost their right to carry a firearm.

Firearms usage in the state allows for standard target shooting and for self-defense, but some other activities are against the law. These actions mostly consist of those that would threaten others’ safety, such as firing a gun near a school, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or using one while committing another crime.

One key thing to be aware of – although we focused on state regulations above, MO allows for individual localities to set up their own laws regarding firearms and other weapons, so to make sure you’re following Excelsior Estates laws, be sure to read your local laws and connect with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Excelsior Estates, MO. Here are criminal allegations that Combs Waterkotte specializes in defending:

• 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 Weapon Laws in MO

It’s also important in MO to be aware of laws for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense instruments, including pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without any permits.

Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are designated as dangerous weapons. Because of this, even though they are not guns, they typically face the same restrictions, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

However, as mentioned above related to guns, different municipalities are allowed to establish more specific restrictions, so reach out to a Excelsior Estates weapons law expert if you don’t know the rules a particular self-defense item.

MO Weapon Crimes Punishments:

If you’re up against allegations for weapons crimes in MO, you need to call an attorney right away. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney right away:

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

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

When you’re hiring a Excelsior Estates, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need a lawyer who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and won’t stop 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: Time in the courtroom gives defense attorneys real-world experience they can bring to your defense. Combs Waterkotte has extensive experience defending weapon crimes cases, 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 stellar reputation amongst previous clients, fellow lawyers, and professional bodies.
• Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals at your back.
• Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, we take pride in maintaining open lines of communication with all of our clients, and we make sure you know what we’re working on with your case.
• Staunch Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want someone only half-prepared. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. Our attorneys always construct our defenses as if we’re going to trial, giving us a strong negotiating position.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Excelsior Estates, MO

Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. However, there are some trends; for example, defendants often claim self-defense, and defensive strategies 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 we might use in your defense against Excelsior Estates, MO, weapon crimes charges:

• Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal accusations can may not actually be applicable to you. In Missouri, it’s legal to protect yourself from 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 permitted to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and other people in your home. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the degree of force used needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is related to castle doctrine. This law in Missouri states 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: Necessity applies to situations where you were forced to do something illegal in order to stop something worse. 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 you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
• Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but you were forced to do so, duress could be a valid excuse. For example, if someone threatened your family and made you carry a weapon into a government building, you could claim duress as a defense.
• Lack of Intent: Some weapon crimes require intent to be guilty. For example, giving a blackjack to someone younger than 18 is not allowed without approval from their parent/guardian. If you honestly thought this person had parental permission, though, you could be exempt due to a lack of intent.

Excelsior Estates, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away

Weapon crime charges in Excelsior Estates are no joke. 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 all about getting you good results, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and expertice that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

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