Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Higginsville, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Higginsville, MO. Weapons, both concealed and open carry, are popular in MO – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But that doesn’t mean that weapon crimes charges aren’t taken seriously.

Many weapons criminal charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. On your own, without a leading Higginsville weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Protect your life. Defend your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert weapons crime defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, has a track record of positive outcomes for our clients. 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.

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

How Do Weapon Laws Work in Higginsville, MO?

MO law covers topics like purchase, possession, and use of firearms and other deadly 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. One way they are different is this: MO does not require a background check for individuals to purchase a gun, but federal law requires licensed dealers to perform one, meaning that if you want to buy a gun in MO, you should still be prepared for a background check.

In MO, most individuals are permitted to carry a self-defense weapon, as long as:

1. They do not carry it into certain locations, including schools, government buildings, airports, churches, etc., and
2. They have not had their right to bear arms taken away.

Firearms usage in the state allows for standard target shooting and for self-defense, but some other uses are against the law. These activities mostly are ones that would put others’ wellbeing at risk, such as threatening someone with a firearm, firing one while intoxicated, or using one while committing another crime.

One thing to note before we move on – while we’ve talked mostly about state restrictions above, MO allows for individual localities to make their own restrictions related to weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Higginsville, be sure to go over your local laws and ask a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.

Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Higginsville, MO weapon crime charges cover a wide range of alleged crimes, but some charges are more common than others. 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

Other Weapon Laws in MO

Higginsville, 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, namely pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without any permits.

Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are categorized as dangerous weapons. This means that even though they are not guns, they generally face the same restrictions, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

Once again, though, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different localities are allowed to establish more specific regulations, so get in touch with a Higginsville weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a specific self-defense device.

MO Weapon Crimes Punishments:

When you’re up against weapon crimes allegations in MO, there’s no time to mess around. 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 Higginsville weapon crimes defense lawyer?

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

When you need a Higginsville, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – 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.

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

• Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. 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 prestigious reputation amongst previous clients, peers, and professional associations.
• Resources: Solo lawyers will try their best, but for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of practiced individuals on your side.
• 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 make sure you know what we’re working on 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’s been in this situation before. Our attorneys always build our defenses as if we’re going to trial, and prosecutors know that – giving us more leverage in plea negotiations.

Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Higginsville, 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 defensive strategies are often less about if you “did it” and more on whether what the defendant did was “justified.”

In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense strategies Combs Waterkotte might use in your defense against Higginsville, MO, weapon crimes charges:

• Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal charges can be invalidated in many cases. In Missouri, it’s legal to defend yourself against imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Related to self-defense, you are allowed to use force to defend another person. Some weapon charges can be dropped if this is the case, just like with self-defense.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine states that you are permitted to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and others in your home. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the force used must be proportionate to the threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is related to castle doctrine. This law in Missouri dictates that you can use force and/or weapons to defend yourself, even outside of your home, as long as you are allowed permitted to be wherever you are.
• 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 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 you were forced to do so, you can use duress as a legal justification. 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: 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.

Higginsville, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Facing Weapon Crimes Charges in Higginsville, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte As Soon As Possible

Weapon crime charges in Higginsville are not going to go away on their own. If the state is charging you with them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to defend you. 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 results-driven, and that means doing whatever we can to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and expertice that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

Speak with a representative now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.