Homicide related offense in Missouri & Homicide Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a homicide-related offense in Missouri, you no doubt understand that you face a significant legal problem, and the result of this issue will affect the rest of your life. Missouri is known to be very "tough on crime," and given the brief explanations of the homicide-related statutes below, you'll soon understand why. If any of the charges below apply to your situation, or you've been charged with any other crime in or around Kansas City, you need to contact homicide defense lawyer John Anthony Picerno for an immediate consultation. Attorney Picerno has been zealously fighting for his clients' rights since 1990, and you need to take no chances with your future or your freedom.

Voluntary Manslaughter

The Missouri Revised Statutes define voluntary manslaughter in the following manner:
565.023. 1. A person commits the crime of voluntary manslaughter if he:
(1) Causes the death of another person under circumstances that would constitute murder in the second degree under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of section 565.021, except that he caused the death under the influence of sudden passion arising from adequate cause; or
(2) Knowingly assists another in the commission of self-murder.
2. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue of influence of sudden passion arising from adequate cause under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section.

This is a somewhat strange law, in that part of the burden is placed on the defendant to prove the presence of passion. However, this charge is much preferred to second-degree murder, which carries much harsher penalties.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter is a less severe charge than voluntary manslaughter, but the prosecution needs only to prove that the defendant caused death by acting recklessly instead of purposefully and with intent. DUI and vehicle-related homicides generally fall under this statute, and involuntary manslaughter is considered a Class C felony.

First Degree Murder

First degree murder is the most serious charge a defendant can face, and it’s defined by the Missouri Legislature as "knowingly" causing the death of another "after deliberation upon the matter." This charge also carries the potential for the ultimate consequence if a defendant is convicted- the death penalty.

Second Degree Murder

Second degree murder in Missouri is a somewhat-lesser charge than first degree, and is usually the charge when there is some evidence of the absence of intent. Regardless, second degree murder is still a Class A felony, and a defendant can also be charged with second degree murder if someone accidentally dies during the commission of another felony.

Overall, no criminal charges are more serious than those associated with homicide. If you have been arrested and charged, or you're merely being questioned in regards to someone's death, the first thing you need to do is contact homicide attorney John Anthony Picerno for a consultation.  The Constitution guarantees you certain rights, and Attorney Picerno will make sure that you understand all of them as they relate to your situation.