St. Francois County, MO

Weapons crime attorney in St. Francois County, MO. Charged with a weapons crime in St. Francois County, MO? Your rights and future are too important to risk. Whether you’re accused of unlawful possession, illegal discharge, or another weapon-related crime, you need a reliable weapons crime attorney in St. Francois County, MO who knows the ins and outs of Missouri criminal courts and delivers results.

At Combs Waterkotte, we understand what’s at stake. Our aggressive criminal defense strategies have helped numerous individuals charged with gun and other weapon-related offenses throughout the St. Francois County, MO area get reduced charges, dismissed cases, or complete acquittals.

If you’re facing charges, call our St. Francois County, MO weapons crime attorney right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Our legal team has over 50 years of combined experience and has successfully handled 10,000+ cases just like yours in St. Francois County, MO and across Missouri.

Article Summary

Facing weapons charges in St. Francois County, MO? Don’t leave your future to chance. Trust Combs Waterkotte—St. Francois County, MO’s leading criminal defense firm—to fight for your rights and freedom. Our skilled weapons crime attorneys defend clients accused of gun possession, unlawful use, armed criminal action, and other firearm offenses in and around St. Francois County, MO. From challenging illegal searches and seizures to negotiating reduced charges or full dismissals, we build tough, strategic defenses tailored to your situation. If you’re facing any weapons-related charge, read on to learn how we’ll help you:

• Secure strong legal representation in St. Francois County, MO from the very beginning.
• Understand the importance of acting quickly after being charged.
• Assert your legal rights at every stage of your case.
• Fully understand the laws and charges you’re up against in St. Francois County, MO.
• Have a firm grasp of what’s at stake and how to minimize penalties.

Weapons Crime Attorney in St. Francois County, MO: What is Considered a Weapons Crime in Missouri?

Our St. Francois County, MO weapons crime attorneys have handled the following types of cases and more:

Unlawful Firearm Possession in the St. Francois County, MO Area

According to Missouri Revised Statute § 571.070, it is illegal to possess a gun in St. Francois County, MO, if:

• You’ve been convicted of a felony
• You’re under the legal age
• You’re in a category of people prohibited from gun ownership
• You’re violating federal law regarding firearm possession

Unlawful possession is typically charged as a Class C felony, but it becomes a Class B felony if you have prior convictions for violent crimes or unlawful possession. If you’ve been accused, it’s critical to have an experienced St. Francois County, MO criminal defense attorney evaluate your case, challenge the evidence, and fight to preserve your rights and future.

Unlawful Use of a Weapon in St. Francois County, MO

This is one of the most frequently charged weapons crimes in the St. Francois County, MO area and can arise in a variety of situations, including:

• Shooting a weapon in restricted zones or while intoxicated
• Flashing or brandishing a gun in a way that alarms or threatens others
• Carrying a concealed weapon without legal authorization
• Bringing a firearm into prohibited locations
• Using a weapon during the commission of another crime, like burglary, assault, or drug distribution
• Possessing illegal weapon modifications or accessories

The consequences in St. Francois County, MO can be life-altering. Charges can range from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A felony with decades—or a lifetime—behind bars.

Don’t roll the dice with your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to speak with a weapons crime attorney in St. Francois County, MO who can help get you the best possible outcome.

St. Francois County, MO Armed Criminal Action

This charge refers to using or displaying a weapon during the commission of a felony offense in St. Francois County, MO. This is not a standalone crime but an enhancement that adds serious time to underlying charges like:

• Drug Trafficking
• Assault
• Robbery
• Burglary

Penalties include mandatory minimum sentences throughout Missouri:

• 3 years for a first offense
• 5 years for a second
• 10 years or more for a third

Defaced Firearm Possession in St. Francois County, MO

If you’re caught with a firearm that has an altered or missing serial number, you may be charged with possessing a defaced firearm—a Class B misdemeanor in St. Francois County, MO. Law enforcement treats these cases harshly due to associations with criminal trafficking and stolen guns.

Unlawful Sale, Transfer, or Trafficking of Weapons in the St. Francois County, MO Area

In St. Francois County, MO and anywhere else in Missouri, it is illegal to sell, lease, give, or otherwise transfer firearms to individuals who are legally barred from owning them. Common scenarios include:

• Selling or gifting firearms to minors
• Providing weapons to convicted felons
• Selling a firearm without verifying eligibility

Penalties vary, with charges ranging from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. An experienced St. Francois County, MO weapons crime attorney from Combs Waterkotte can help you fight these accusations and protect your future.

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Charged With a Weapons Crime in St. Francois County, MO? Take These Steps Now

No matter the circumstances or severity of your charges in St. Francois County, MO, here’s what you should do:

1. Stay calm and don’t speak with police or investigators before calling a lawyer.
2. Get in touch with our team immediately for a risk-free case assessment.
3. Allow our St. Francois County, MO legal team to evaluate the charges, safeguard your rights, and start building a strong defense strategy.

Time is critical in St. Francois County, MO weapons cases. The sooner you involve our expert weapons crime attorney, the more options we’ll have to reduce or eliminate the charges against you.

Weapons Crime Attorney in St. Francois County, MO: Why Hiring a Skilled Lawyer is Crucial

Weapons charges in St. Francois County, MO can result in heavy fines, jail or prison time, loss of firearm rights, and a permanent criminal record. But with the right legal representation, your story doesn’t have to end there.

Here’s how an experienced St. Francois County, MO weapons crime attorney helps protect you:

• Step in right away to protect your legal rights
• Thorough Investigation of the Evidence
• Exposing any unlawful actions by law enforcement
• Working to get charged reduced—or dropped altogether
• Defend you in court with a strong, personalized strategy

At Combs Waterkotte, we don’t back down. We question every detail, build aggressive defense strategies, and fight relentlessly for the best outcome in St. Francois County, MO.

Weapons Crime Attorney in St. Francois County, MO: Possible Legal Defenses

Our St. Francois County, MO weapons crime defense team has decades of experience successfully fighting gun and weapons charges. Here some of the powerful defenses we may use in your case:

• Self-Defense or Defense of Others — Missouri laws like Stand Your Ground statute and Castle Doctrine protect your right to defend yourself. If you acted out of fear for your life or safety, we’ll work to prove it.
• Illegal Search or Seizure — Police must follow strict rules when collecting evidence. If they found a weapon through an illegal search—no warrant, no probable cause, or a bad traffic stop—we’ll fight to have it excluded
• Lack of Knowledge or Intent — This defense is useful in proving that you were unaware you were in possession of a weapon, like if it was planted in your possession or if someone else left it in your vehicle or home. You had no intent to use the weapon unlawfully.
• Other Defenses — Other valid defenses for your St. Francois County, MO charges include alibi evidence showing that you were not in a location where you could be legally accused of having the weapon, entrapment, insufficient evidence, and mistaken identity.

If you hire a Combs Waterkotte weapons crime attorney in the St. Francois County, MO area, you’re not just hiring the ideal weapons crime defense team in and around St. Francois County, MO – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to esteemed weapons crime lawyers, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in St. Francois County and beyond:

• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
• Violent Crime Lawyer
• Drug Crimes Lawyer
• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer

Don’t Face Weapons Charges in St. Francois County, MO—Let Combs Waterkotte Defend You

Weapons charges can turn your life upside down—but you don’t have to face them alone. Our experienced St. Francois County, MO weapons crime attorneys are ready to take action on your behalf. Whether it’s negotiating the best possible resolution or defending you in court, we’ll stand by your side every step of the way.

Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to speak directly with an experienced St. Francois County, MO weapons crime attorney who will take your defense seriously.