Murder in the 1st Degree & Manslaughter Charges

As you can imagine, murder in the first degree and manslaughter (whether involuntary or voluntary) is one of the most serious charges in the state of Missouri. All fall under the umbrella of murder / homicide, which are the most serious criminal charges anyone can face. Your freedom and future literally hang in the balance if convicted, it is critical that you consult with a skilled Kansas City criminal defense lawyer IMMEDIATELY. Before you answer any further questions posed by police or investigators, or make any statement; contact our experienced firm to ensure you don’t cause any detrimental mistakes that cannot be corrected. The O’Connor Law Firm provides vigorous legal representation and is ready to mount an aggressive 1st degree murder defense on your behalf.

Matthew O’Connor has over 30 years of court room experience, and is well known and often called upon for commentary on national news networks such as Fox News as well as local stations. This is due to the nature of his knowledge and experience in the legal industry. The excellent part of working with my law firm is that you will work directly with me, and receive the personalized attention and insight and I handle each case with utmost attention.

First-Degree Murder in Kansas City Missouri

There are varying degrees of murder, however first-degree is the most serious and is defined under Missouri law as the deliberate taking of another individual’s life intentionally. In this case, the prosecutor must prove intent, or that the accused deliberated before knowingly taking another person’s life. In this case, proving intent is
critical to obtaining a conviction.

The penalties for those found guilty of murder in the first degree include life in prison, death, or life behind bars without parole or probation. Due to the severity of punishment, you can clearly understand the importance of working with an experienced and aggressive Kansas City manslaughter defense lawyer.

1st Degree Manslaughter Charges in Kansas City Missouri

What is the difference between murder and manslaughter? Basically, which offense you are charged with comes down to the state of mind of the alleged offender at the time another individual was killed. With manslaughter, the taking of another individual’s life is a result of sudden passion, rather than premeditation.

Voluntary manslaughter is a criminal charge that results when you knowingly assist someone is euthanasia, or committing suicide, or cause the victim’s death under the influence of sudden passion. Involuntary manslaughter differs in that you lack the intent to kill someone else, and essentially the death occurs because of negligence or recklessness. For instance, someone who drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs may cause an accident that results in the loss of someone’s life; the death is not intentional. While a less serious offense, involuntary manslaughter will result in serious criminal sanctions for those convicted.

Voluntary manslaughter is a class B felony punishable by a minimum of five years in prison. Depending on the circumstances, the maximum prison term is 15 years.

Those found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, which is classified as a class D felony, will face a prison term of up to four years.

Contact Kansas City Murder in the 1st degree defense Lawyer Matthew O’Connor Now As you can see, first-degree murder and manslaughter are extremely serious criminal charges that can result in loss of your freedom. Even if you spend only a few years in prison for voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, you will still face ruin of your reputation, career, and even relationships. At The O’Connor Law Firm our defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the best legal guidance and representation available in the Kansas City area today. We fight vigorously in our efforts to protect your legal rights and defend your freedom. Until proven guilty, you are innocent.

Contact our firm immediately at 1-816-567-MATT.