Murder & Manslaughter

Columbia, Missouri Murder & Manslaughter Defense Attorneys

If you have been accused of murder or manslaughter, your future is at stake. You need a criminal defense attorney who has handled cases like these before, who has a record of success at trial and who is willing to fight to prevent your future from being taken away from you. At Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer, you will find attorneys with more than 100 years of combined experience. We know how to fight murder and manslaughter charges.

Degrees Of Murder Charges

Murder charges, also referred to as homicide charges, come in two forms: First degree and second degree. First-degree murder is the most serious charge a person can be accused of. To be convicted of this crime, it must be proven that the accused knowingly took another person's life after deliberation. The issue of intent is critical. If the accused lacked intent, second-degree murder is the more appropriate charge. This charge is only slightly less severe than first-degree murder and still requires strong defense from a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.

Voluntary & Involuntary Manslaughter

The charge of voluntary manslaughter is very similar to second-degree murder. The key distinction is that, in voluntary manslaughter, the accused was under the influence of sudden passion that stemmed from adequate cause. Involuntary murder, on the other hand, is charged when a person is accused of ending another's life by acting recklessly. Car accidents caused by DWI or reckless driving that result in the death of another often result in charges of involuntary manslaughter. We work hard to defend against these charges.

Contact A Columbia, Missoouri Murder or Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

To schedule a free consultation about homicide defense, call us at 573-442-1660 or contact us. We are happy to meet at your convenience.

Our lawyers are aggressive and thorough. We know that we cannot rely on the police investigation, because police miss things. We need to conduct our own investigation. That means visiting the scene of the alleged crime and re-interviewing witnesses to sift through half-truths that may have been told to the police. We will bring in private investigators and legal experts to ensure that we have every fact at our disposal. Once we have gathered all the facts, we use them to build a strong criminal defense case to protect you.