Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Sweet Springs, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Sweet Springs, 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.

A high portion of weapon crime charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. Without the help of a leading Sweet Springs weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just carrying a weapon in the wrong place.

Protect your rights. Guard your freedom. Contact Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading criminal 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 against your criminal weapons charges.

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

How Do Weapon Laws Work in Sweet Springs, MO?

MO law sets regulations for both 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 allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federal law requires licensed dealers to perform one, meaning that most MO gun transfers still require a background check.

In MO, most individuals are permitted to carry a firearm, so long as:

1. They do not carry it into certain locations, including schools, government buildings, airports, churches, etc., 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 some specific uses are illegal. These actions mostly consist of those that would threaten others’ safety, such as threatening someone with a firearm, firing one while intoxicated, or firing it into a building.

One important point – so far, this page has mainly covered state laws above, MO allows for individual municipalities to enforce their own laws on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Sweet Springs laws, be sure to go over your local regulations and connect with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

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

Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO

Sweet Springs, MO laws don’t stop at guns, though: You also need to be aware of restrictions for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense items, such as pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without special permits.

Knives, blackjacks, and batons, are are more stringently regulated because they are categorized as deadly weapons. This means that even though they are not guns, they typically face the same restrictions, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

However, as mentioned above in regards to firearms, different localities are allowed to establish different regulations, so reach out to a Sweet Springs weapons law expert if the statute is unclear regarding a given self-defense implement.

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 before it’s too late:

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

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

When you’re hiring a Sweet Springs, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, choosing the right one can make all the difference – you need someone who will leave no stone unturned, 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 Sweet Springs defense attorney:

• Experience: Time in the courtroom gives defense attorneys real-world experience they can bring to your defense. Combs Waterkotte has substantial experience defending weapon crimes cases, 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 previous clients, other law firms, and professional organizations.
• Resources: Some cases can be handled by just one attorney. But for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of skillful individuals on your side.
• Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts clients first. At Combs Waterkotte, we take pride in maintaining open lines of communication with all of our clients, and we don’t leave you in the dark with your case.
• Staunch 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 ready to go to battle. 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 Sweet Springs, MO

Weapon crimes can be defended in similar ways to many other criminal allegations. That said, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and cases are often less about whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”

Below, we’ve listed common defense strategies our team might use in your case against Sweet Springs, 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 are allowed to take actions to protect yourself from imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, you can protect another via the use of force, even a weapon. 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 authorized to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and others who are in your dwelling. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the amount and type 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 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 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 weren’t a willing participant in a criminal action, but someone forced you to do so, you can claim duress as a defense. 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 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.

Sweet Springs, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

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

Weapon crimes in Sweet Springs are no joke. When you’re up against them, you have to have a leading weapon crimes defense attorney 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 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 expertice that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.

Protect your rights by calling us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.