If you’ve been charged with a violent crime in Kansas City, MO, you may not be sure what your next steps are. Because your freedom and future are on the line, you need to hire experienced attorneys who know how to defend you.
At The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC, our team of attorneys can help you understand your charges, navigate the criminal justice system, and represent you in court. Learn more about the kinds of cases we represent and how our team can help.
In a violent crime, a person is threatened with or harmed by violence. These crimes carry a significant stigma, with the mere accusation of having committed one being able to turn your life upside down.
Because violent crimes carry heavy sentences, the moment you are contacted by law enforcement, it’s vital that you contact a lawyer with experience.
Assault is usually defined as an intentional act that puts another person in fear of immediate harm. The threat itself is criminalized, so it doesn’t matter if anyone was actually harmed. Assault does have to include an act that furthers the threat, like approaching someone with raised fists. Verbal threats aren’t enough.
There are four levels of assault you can be charged with, ranging from first to fourth degree. Unlike in other states, battery means the same thing as assault in Missouri.
Domestic assault also falls into this category, and it involves an assault against a family or household member. It includes spouses, relatives (including in-laws), and people you have been or are in a romantic relationship with. The charges of assault and domestic assault also include different punishments. For example, the charge of domestic assault has collateral punishments such as potentially losing your right to bear arms.
In Missouri, stalking is an action that targets a specific person, serves no legitimate purpose, and leads the person to reasonably fear for their safety or experience emotional distress. Harassment is any conduct that causes emotional distress or involves unwanted threatening, intimidating, or frightening communication.
Armed Criminal Action or ACA is a companion charge. If you are charged with committing a crime while using a weapon, you can be charged with ACA. This charge will usually be added to the original felony charge.
You can receive this charge if you carry a dangerous instrument or a deadly weapon. A dangerous instrument refers to any instrument, substance, or article that can cause harm or death. Deadly weapons can include firearms (loaded or not), switchblades, billy clubs, metal knuckles, or daggers.
Because armed criminal action has a broad definition, the prosecution can charge you at their discretion. That’s one reason why you need to contact a violent crime lawyer in Kansas City.
First-degree murder involves the act of intentionally killing someone after deliberating on it. This means premeditation has to be involved. With second-degree murder, premeditation isn’t required.
Voluntary manslaughter refers to the act of intentionally killing someone in the throes of intense emotions. It also applies to someone who’s helped another person commit suicide. It’s a class B felony in Missouri.
Involuntary manslaughter refers to causing the death of someone by reckless or negligent behavior. This is a class D felony.
Abuse can involve physical injury, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse against another person. Child abuse, domestic abuse, and elderly abuse all fit in this category.
You can be charged with robbery if you take property from another person using intimidation or violence and with the intention of depriving the owner of that property. It can be either first-degree or second-degree robbery.
First-degree robbery involves committing a robbery with a weapon or causing physical harm to the victim. It can also mean threatening with a weapon or stealing a controlled substance from a pharmacy. Second-degree robbery involves forcibly taking property from its owner and causing physical harm in the process.
Rape is a form of assault that involves sexual contact without the other person’s consent. It can involve violent physical contact, threats, or emotional manipulation. It can also occur if the victim is unable to consent.
Statutory rape occurs when an adult has sexual contact with a minor. Because a minor is unable to consent, the act is considered rape even if the minor actually gave their verbal consent. In Missouri, the age of consent is 17.
If you’ve been charged with any crime in Missouri, it’s essential that you hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. You don’t want to go through the criminal system on your own or with a court-appointed lawyer.
A Kansas City, MO, criminal defense lawyer will first ensure you understand your rights. Criminal law is complex, and you deserve to know exactly what you’re being charged with. At The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC, we will also help you understand what penalties you’re facing since that can be just as crucial.
We will then begin investigating the charges. This means gathering evidence, speaking with eyewitnesses, and even contacting expert witnesses who may be able to offer testimony that can help your case.
We carefully look into police behavior and procedure in these cases. If police officers didn’t follow protocol when they arrested or interviewed you, it could result in getting your charges dropped. We’ll look at when you received your Miranda warning and analyze transcripts of police interviews to search for anything that points to coercion.
It can also happen that police officers obtain evidence illegally. If, for example, they found evidence in your vehicle but did not have a warrant to search it, that evidence could be inadmissible. We’ll work to have that evidence excluded. In some instances, that can be enough to clear you of charges.
Our team will prepare the right defense for your case. We’ll consider all factors and strategize accordingly. In some cases, the best option is to claim self-defense, for example, while in others we’ll strive to prove you were under duress or that you have an alibi for when the crime was committed.
With every case our firm handles we are preparing for trial. Our firm believes the best way to get the best results is to aggressively attack every case and prepare as if it will go to trial. This approach can help in negotiations and allows us to be ready if the case must go to trial.
For all of these reasons, don’t wait until you’re standing in front of a judge at the Jackson County Courthouse before contacting experienced criminal defense lawyers.
We have years of experience representing the people of Kansas City, MO. With a dedication that stems from our love for the city and its citizens, we offer tenacious assistance to those accused of a violent crime.
Our team understands the stress you’re under. We provide compassionate support that can help you make more sense of this difficult moment in your life. Let us defend you against the charges that threaten your freedom.
If you’ve been accused of a violent crime, the sooner you get representation, the better your chances of beating the charges will be. Contact us at The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC to schedule a consultation with our Missouri criminal defense lawyers.
If you have been arrested or believe you may be the target of a criminal investigation, contact the criminal defense attorneys at The Bates & Merryman Law Firm today.
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