St. Louis Murder Attorney

Have You Been Arrested For A Homicide? Wrongfully Accused?

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney that takes your Future as Seriously as YOU do — W. Scott Rose is here to give your case the Undivided Attention it Deserves.

Homicide is the unlawful killing of another. It is among some of the most serious crimes you can be charged with. Under Missouri law, regardless of what degree the homicide is categorized, you will be facing time in prison. Anywhere from 2 years in prison for a Class E felony to life in prison for a Class A felony.

If you‘re facing a homicide charge in the greater St. Louis area or anywhere in Missouri, contact Rose Legal Services right away. We are happy to meet with your family and, if you are in custody, visit you at any of the local jails.

Our team has extensive experience handling various criminal defense cases, including assault, weapon crimes, and property damage. Rose Legal Services can help minimize your charges and get you the best possible results for your case — Take legal action today.

Types of Homicide Charges

If a person can be blamed for the death of another, it is possible that the state may file a murder or manslaughter charge. Voluntary and involuntary manslaughter charges consist of reckless, careless, or negligent behavior, and 1st and 2nd-degree murder charges consist of intentional and deliberate acts.

Regardless of the type of charges you are facing, it is always in your best interest to hire an experienced murder attorney. We understand the many nuances involved in criminal defense cases and can give you a fighting chance in court.

MANSLAUGHTER IN ST. LOUIS

Manslaughter can be divided into two categories: involuntary and voluntary. Involuntary manslaughter is killing without intention but doing so through negligent or reckless behavior.

Voluntary manslaughter is knowingly killing another while under the influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause.

Voluntary Manslaughter

To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

  • Knowingly, or with the purpose of causing serious physical injury to another person, caused the death of another person, under the influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause.

Voluntary Manslaughter is considered a Class B Felony. Punishable by a minimum of (5) five and a maximum of (15) fifteen years in prison.

Involuntary Manslaughter 1st Degree

To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

  • Recklessly caused the death of another person.

Involuntary Manslaughter in the first degree is considered a Class C Felony. Punishable by a minimum of (3) three and a maximum of (10) ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Involuntary Manslaughter 2nd Degree

To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

  • Acted with criminal negligence to cause the death of another person.

Involuntary Manslaughter in the second degree is considered a Class E Felony. Punishable by a minimum of (2) two and a maximum of (4) four years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

MURDER CHARGES IN ST. LOUIS

Murders carried out with any intent or deliberate acts are considered either first-degree or second-degree murder charges. If a person was killed during the time of another felony taking place, it could be regarded as a second-degree murder (felony murder).

Murder 1st Degree

To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

  • Knowingly caused the death of another person after deliberation upon the matter.

Murder in the first degree is considered a Class A Felony. Punishable by life in prison without the possibility for probation or parole, with a maximum sentence of the death penalty.

Murder 2nd Degree

To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

  • Knowingly or with the purpose of causing serious physical injury to another person caused another person’s death.

Murder in the second degree is considered a Class A Felony. Punishable by a minimum of (10) ten to a maximum of (30) years in prison, at least 85% of the sentence must be served before being eligible for parole.

Murder 2nd Degree (Felony Murder)

To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

  • Committed or attempted to commit a felony, and in the perpetration or the attempted perpetration of such felony, another person was killed.

Murder in the second degree (felony murder) is considered a Class A Felony. Punishable by a minimum of (10) ten to a maximum of (30) years in prison, at least 85% of the sentence must be served before being eligible for parole.

JUSTIFIED HOMICIDE IN ST. LOUIS

Not all types of homicide are illegal. For example, self-defense is justified if it is necessary for a particular situation, and the use of deadly force in the situation is allowed by Missouri state law. Justifiable homicides may occur when a person is defending their home, self, or others.

What To Do After Being Charged With Murder In St.Louis

If you are facing murder charges, you should be concerned about your future. Choose your next actions wisely; you must begin protecting your rights from the moment you are arrested.

  • During an arrest, remain calm and cooperate with the authorities to avoid escalating the situation.
  • At any time during an officer’s questioning, you may invoke the fifth amendment. You have the right to remain silent. Use it. The only information you are obligated to provide is your name. You do not have to say anything further or sign anything until you can have an experienced murder attorney representing you.
  • An officer may conduct a pat-down search for any concealed weapons under your clothing.
  • As soon as it is possible, contact Rose Legal Services. A knowledgeable St. Louis murder attorney will thoroughly inspect your case and prepare an effective defense. You can get started with a free consultation.

Find The Best St. Louis Murder Attorney For Your Case

Look for an attorney that takes your future as seriously as YOU DO. Experienced in a range of criminal defense cases, including assault, domestic violence, and weapons charges — Rose Legal Services will work hard to get you the best possible results. Let’s start your case off with a free consultation, take the time to thoroughly review and inspect your case, and create a STRONG defense.

ST. LOUIS HOMICIDE ATTORNEY

If you’ve been wrongfully accused or made a mistake… Take legal action today. Rose Legal Services exclusively defends clients against criminal defense and homicide charges in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, and surrounding areas. With nearly 20 years of experience, rest assured we will work tirelessly & aggressively to defend you in the court of law.

  • Immediate & Effective Representation
  • Flat Fee Criminal Law Firm
  • Get The UNDIVIDED ATTENTION Your Case Needs
  • Take Legal Action TODAY
  • All Cases Begin With A FREE Consultation

You must retain a St. Louis homicide attorney as soon as possible to help protect your freedom. Whether this is a first-time offense or you’ve been charged before, we can help you get the best possible results in your murder case — Start building your defense today with a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

A murder charge, either 1st degree or 2nd degree, involves the element of intentional acts and premeditated plans being carried out. Manslaughter charges can be considered voluntary or involuntary based on recklessness and criminal negligence.

Thanks to attorney-client privilege, clients have the peace of mind knowing they can disclose the whole truth to their attorneys. An attorney cannot be forced to testify against you or reveal confidential information in court. The more transparency you can provide your attorney, the more help they will be preparing for litigation and building or defense.

An experienced murder attorney can help give you a fighting chance against your charges. They will examine all of your cases facts and search for details that could have been missed to help prove your innocence, provide skilled and effective negotiations during proceedings and court trials, and continue to offer support should you decide to appeal your verdict.

The State accused me of 3 felonies that someone else committed. I hired Scott, and he got the charges dismissed!

Scott, have helped me throughout this whole process mentally. You are really amazing – I thank you so much for helping me!

Mr. Rose really helped me out with a difficult situation. He was great to work with and worked hard to get me a good outcome. I would definitely recommend him to others.