Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Platte Woods, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Platte Woods, MO. Weapons, both concealed and open carry, are popular in MO – 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.

Frequently, weapon crime charges are felonies, and a conviction could put you behind bars for years. Without the help of a leading Platte Woods weapon crimes defense attorney, you could permanently throw your life off course for just acting in self defense.

Save your life. Preserve your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of Platte Woods’s leading weapons crime defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, knows how to protect you. We are dedicated to our clients and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.

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

How Do Weapon Laws Work in Platte Woods, MO?

MO law covers topics like purchase, possession, and use of firearms and other weapons. These are all in addition to federal laws, which also set rules for weapons. 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, the majority of individuals are permitted to carry a firearm, so long as:

1. In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, and
2. Nothing has happened to lead that person to lose their right to carry a weapon.

Firearms usage in the state allows for standard target shooting and for self-defense, but several other activities are not allowed. These actions mostly consist of those that would threaten others’ safety, such as threatening someone with a firearm, firing one over a highway, or firing it into a building.

One key thing to be aware of – while we’ve talked mostly about state restrictions above, MO allows for individual localities to enforce their own laws regarding firearms and other weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Platte Woods, be sure to read your local laws and consult with a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.

Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

While there are a variety of weapons charges you can face in Platte Woods, 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

Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO

Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Platte Woods, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense weapons, namely pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without special permits.

Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are categorized as dangerous weapons. This means that even though they are not firearms, they often have the same regulations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

However, as mentioned above related to guns, different localities are allowed to establish their own regulations, so get in touch with a Platte Woods weapons law expert if the statute is unclear regarding a particular self-defense device.

MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:

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 before it’s too late:

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

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

When you’re deciding on a Platte Woods, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need an attorney who will leave no stone unturned, and will keep going 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: 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: You want to work with someone who is known for success. Combs Waterkotte has a prestigious reputation amongst clients, fellow attorneys, and professional associations.
• Resources: Some cases can be handled by just one attorney. But for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals at your back.
• Approach: It’s important to work with a lawyer who puts you 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 plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who knows how to persuade judges and juries. 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 Platte Woods, MO

Weapon crimes are, on a fundamental level, just like most other criminal allegations: You are charged, negotiate, and if necessary, go to trial. However, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and defensive strategies frequently have less to do with whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”

In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense tactics Combs Waterkotte might use in your defense against Platte Woods, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

• Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal charges can may not actually be applicable to you. In Missouri, you have the right to defend yourself against imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Related to self-defense, you can take action to protect another person from harm. Some weapon charges are invalidated if you were protecting another, as they would be with self-defence.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine states that you are legally allowed to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and those who are in your dwelling. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the degree of force you use must be proportionate to the threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of Missouri dictates 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 in an effort to scare off someone threatening you, you fired a warning shot. You could be accused of an unlawful discharge, but preventing a greater harm may legally justify your actions.
• Duress: When you unwillingly broke the law, because you were forced 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: Depending on the exact charge, you might be able to claim that your violation was unintentional. For example, giving a blackjack to an underaged person without permission is illegal. If you honestly thought this person had parental permission, though, you could be exempt due to a lack of intent.

Platte Woods, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Platte Woods, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away

Weapon crime allegations in Platte Woods are no joke. If the state is charging you with them, you can’t settle for anything less than 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 entirely focused on finding good results for your case, and that means not stopping until we get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and skills that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.

Start building your defense now at (314) 900-HELP or let us know your charges online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.