Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Lathrop, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Lathrop, MO. MO is known as a pro-second amendment state – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But something as simple as carrying your self-defense tool into the wrong location can still land you with felony charges.

A lot of weapons charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. On your own, without a leading Lathrop weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just carrying a weapon in the wrong place.

Protect your life. Defend your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes defense attorneys, 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.

Contact us right away at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Lathrop, 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. For example, MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federally-licensed dealers are required to perform 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 individuals are permitted to carry a self-defense weapon, so long as:

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.

In MO, you’re allowed to use your gun at the range and for self-defense, but several other uses are not allowed. These actions mostly are those that would endanger others, such as threatening someone with a firearm, firing one over a highway, or using one while committing another crime.

One key thing to be aware of – so far, this page has mainly covered state regulations above, MO allows for individual municipalities to enforce their own restrictions regarding firearms and other weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Lathrop, be sure to go through your local laws and consult with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Lathrop, 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

It’s also important in MO to be aware of laws for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense items, including pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without special permits.

Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are treated as deadly weapons. This means that even though they are not firearms, they frequently are subject to the same restrictions, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

However, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different localities are allowed to establish their own regulations, so get in touch with a Lathrop weapons law expert if you don’t know the rules a specific self-defense item.

MO Weapon Crimes Penalties:

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 Lathrop weapon crimes defense lawyer?

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

When you’re hiring a Lathrop, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need a lawyer who will fight relentlessly for your rights, and will keep going until you get the justice you deserve.

When deciding on a defense attorney, keep in mind the following:

• Experience: More experienced lawyers have seen more, and will be able to handle more. Our attorneys has a wealth of experience defending cases just like yours, with multiple former prosecutors 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 former 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 at your back.
• Approach: You want an attorney who puts clients first. At Combs Waterkotte, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, and we keep you informed on any updates with your case.
• Fearless Defense: If the case goes to 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.

Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Lathrop, MO

Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. That said, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and cases can focus less on if 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 case against Lathrop, MO, weapon crimes charges:

• Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal charges can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you are allowed to take actions to protect yourself from imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, you are allowed to use force to defend another person. Some weapon charges are invalidated if you were protecting another, as they would be with self-defence.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine says that you are authorized to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and others at your residence. Caslet doctrine does not require you to retreat prior to defending yourself. However, the degree of force used must be proportionate to the threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is related to castle doctrine. This law in Missouri determines 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 in an effort to scare off someone threatening you, you fired a warning shot. You could be accused of an unlawful discharge, but you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
• Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but someone forced you to do so, you can use duress as a legal justification. 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. If you honestly thought this person had parental permission, though, you could be exempt due to a lack of intent.

Lathrop, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Lathrop, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now

Weapon crimes in Lathrop are not going to go away on their own. If a prosecutor is trying to put you in prison for them, you have to have a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer fight against the charges. You need Combs Waterkotte.

With Combs Waterkotte, 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 doing whatever we can to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and track record of success that defending these charges demands.

Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.