Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Waverly, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Waverly, MO. If you live in MO, you’ve probably known or been around someone who either concealed or open carried a weapon – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But even when you act in self-defense, you’re facing a mountain of scrutiny and have to show your innocence.

A high portion of weapons criminal charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. On your own, without a leading Waverly weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could permanently throw your life off course for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Protect your life. Defend your freedom. Contact Combs Waterkotte. Our team of Waverly’s leading weapon crimes defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. We do not compromise on the quality of your defense and will fight to get you the best possible outcome against your criminal weapons charges.

Contact us immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Waverly, MO?

MO law defines what you can and can’t do with guns and other weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. 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 conduct one, meaning that most MO gun transfers still require a background check.

In MO, lawful citizens are permitted to carry a self-defense weapon, so long as:

1. In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, and
2. They have not lost their right to carry a firearm.

In MO, you’re allowed to use your gun at the range and for self-defense, but some specific uses are not allowed. These actions mostly are those that would endanger others, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or using one while committing another crime.

One thing to note before we move on – while we’ve talked mostly about state laws above, MO allows for individual municipalities to make their own laws related to weapons, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Waverly laws, be sure to go through your local laws and connect with a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.

Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

While there are a variety of weapons charges you can face in Waverly, 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 Waverly, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense tools, including pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without special permits.

Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are treated as deadly weapons. With this classification, even though they are not firearms, they generally face the same limitations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

Once again, though, as mentioned above related to guns, different municipalities can have different regulations, so don’t be afraid to ask a Waverly weapons law expert if the statute is unclear regarding a specific self-defense tool.

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 before it’s too late:

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

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

When you’re hiring a Waverly, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, choosing the right one can make all the difference – you need an attorney who will leave no stone unturned, 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 substantial experience defending weapon crimes cases, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience and over 10,000 cases handled.
• Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for success. Combs Waterkotte has a phenomenal 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 skillful individuals on your side.
• Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone 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.
• Fearless 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 prepare our cases as if we’re going to trial, giving us a strong negotiating position.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Waverly, 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 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 tactics our team might use in your defense against Waverly, 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, you are allowed to take actions to protect yourself from imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Related 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 says that you are allowed to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and other people who are in your dwelling. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the amount and type of force you use needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
• Stand Your Ground: An extension of the castle doctrine, the stand your ground law in Missouri dictates 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: If you find yourself in a tight spot, where something bad is going to happen, and the only way you can stop it is by breaking a law, you can claim necessity. 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 preventing a greater harm may legally justify your actions.
• Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but another person forced to do so, you can claim duress as a defense. 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: Some weapon crimes require intent to be guilty. For example, giving a blackjack to an underaged person without permission is illegal. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.

Waverly, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Looking For a Weapon Crimes Defense Attorney in Waverly, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now

Weapon crime allegations in Waverly are serious business. If a prosecutor is trying to put you in prison for them, you have to have a leading weapon crimes defense attorney for your case. You need Combs Waterkotte.

With us, you’re choosing a firm that doesn’t settle for the second-best outcome. Our team is results-driven, and that means doing whatever we can to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the experience and expertice that you need in your corner.

Start building your defense right away at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.