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Violent Crimes

Violent crimes receive much more attention from the courts and are some of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes today. Violent crimes, especially a felony offense, require an aggressive and experienced St. Louis violent crimes lawyer. If you or a loved one are a suspect or have been charged with a violent crime, it is vital that you immediately seek out an attorney to protect your rights and to properly assist you in dealing with law enforcement. At Henderson Law Group, call us today so we can immediately get to work for you.

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    Violent Crime Overview

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    Assault and Battery

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    Child Abuse and Neglect

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    Homicide

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    Robbery

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    Unlawful Use of a Weapon

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    Weapon Violation

Aggressive Representation from the Outset

At Henderson Law Group, our attorneys have represented countless of individuals facing a violent crime charge. These charges range from murder in the first degree to misdemeanor assault. We have an exceptional track record of obtaining the best possible outcome for our clients. This is, in part, due to our aggressive representation from the outset. We leave no stone unturned. We enlist the help from experienced investigators. We preserve witness statements. We scrutinize every piece of evidence the state has against you. In short, we work tirelessly for you in order to obtain the best possible outcome. The punishment for a violent crime can be very severe. It’s important to have the best possible criminal defense attorney on your side.

Contact a St. Louis Violent Crime Defense Attorney Today

If you or a loved one is a suspect or have been charged with a violent crime, you cannot afford to wait to hire an experienced attorney. A violent crime charge can have a devastating impact on your future and can often mean a long period of incarceration. It is imperative you immediately have someone in your corner protecting your rights and defending your freedom. Call us 24/7 to discuss how we can assist you with your violent crime charge.

St. Louis, MO Assault Defense Lawyer

Missouri, like most other states, has varying degrees of assault charges. For example, in Missouri, assault is typically classified as assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, or assault in the fourth degree. Further, in Missouri, assault may be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the case. Whether you have been charged with misdemeanor assault or felony assault, you need the immediate help of a qualified and skilled St. Louis assault defense attorney to protect your rights and defend your freedom.

Missouri Assault Laws

First degree assault – A person commits the crime of assault in the first degree if he or she attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another person. Assault in the first degree is a Class B felony unless the victim is classified as “special,” in which case it is a Class A felony.

Second degree assault – A person commits the crime of assault in the second degree, which is a Class D felony, if he or she:

  • Attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another person under the influence of sudden passion arising out of adequate cause; or
  • Attempts to cause or knowingly causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; or
  • Recklessly causes serious physical injury to another person; or
  • Recklessly causes physical injury to another person by means of discharge of a firearm.

Third Degree assault – A person omits the crime of assault in the third degree, a class E felony, if:

  • The person knowingly causes physical injury to another person.
  • It becomes a Class D felony if it is a “special victim.”

Fourth Degree assault – A person commits the crime of assault in the fourth degree if:

  • The person attempts to cause or recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or
  • With criminal negligence the person causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon; or
  • The person purposely places another person in apprehension of immediate physical injury (C); or
  • The person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person; or
  • The person knowingly causes physical contact with another person knowing the other person will regard the contact as offensive or provocative (C); or
  • The person knowingly causes physical contact with an incapacitated person, which a reasonable person, who is not incapacitated, would consider offensive or provocative.

Assault in the fourth degree is a Class A misdemeanor, unless charged under one of the sections above denoted with a (C), in which case it is a Class C Misdemeanor (unless it is a “special victim”).

Contact a St. Louis Assault Defense Lawyer Today

If you are facing an assault charge in Missouri or Illinois, you need an aggressive, qualified, and skilled St. Louis criminal defense attorney. At Henderson Law Group, we work tirelessly to protect your rights and defend your freedom. We understand the seriousness of an assault charge and are ready to stand by you as your advocate from start to finish. Please contact us today for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, at Henderson Law Group we accept major credit cards and offer payment plans.

Missouri & Illinois Criminal Defense Law Firm

In today’s society, it is becoming more common for a parent, a boyfriend, a step-parent, a babysitter, or a sibling to be charged with child abuse or neglect. A single accusation of abuse made by a child or another person is often sufficient for an investigator or police officer to arrest someone for child abuse in Missouri. An accusation of child abuse can have a devastating impact on your life and your future. If you or a loved one has been charged with child abuse, it is imperative that you immediately seek the help of a skilled and qualified St. Louis child abuse lawyer.

At Henderson Law Group, we represent individuals facing a wide variety of charges involving a child, including:

  • Abuse of a child
  • Endangering the welfare of a child
  • Abandonment of a child
  • Leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle who causes an accident
  • Failure to report child abuse

Penalties for Child Abuse in Missouri

In Missouri, like most other states, charges of child abuse are extremely serious and have significant consequences if convicted. This may include incarceration, court-mandated treatment, and stiff fines. Nearly all crimes involving a child are charged as a felony in the state of Missouri, which means that your freedom is at jeopardy. If you have been charged with child abuse, the criminal defense attorneys of Henderson Law Group will vigorously fight the charges and attempt to mitigate the consequences.

Defending Child Abuse Charges

Unfortunately, you may find yourself charged with child abuse based on a single accusation or a misguided interpretation of your conduct. Maybe someone accused you of child abuse to gain an advantage in a child custody case or a divorce proceeding. Perhaps you were disciplining your child and an observer believed otherwise.

Despite the circumstances surrounding your case, the St. Louis criminal defense attorneys of Henderson Law Group will carefully and thoroughly investigate all the facts and circumstances surrounding the accusations of child abuse. We will scrutinize the records of Child Protective Services. If necessary, we will employ the services of other professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychologists. From day one, we will work tirelessly to obtain the best possible result for you.

Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board (CANRB) Hearings

Often when an individual is being investigated for child abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct involving a child, the Missouri Department of Social Services (also commonly referred to as DFS or Division of Family Services) can file a separate action apart from the criminal case. These two cases are completely independent and apart from one another and have no bearing on the other case. The St. Louis child abuse and neglect attorneys at Henderson Law Group have successfully defended clients in front of Family Services Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board (CANRB) and have also represented clients in appealing the CANRB decision.

Contact a St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you are facing a charge of child abuse, call our criminal defense lawyers today to learn how the law applies to your situation. At Henderson Law Group, we will immediately begin to investigate your case. We will aggressively and effectively fight to obtain the best possible result for you. We offer free consultations and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Missouri Murder Defense Legal Counsel

Undoubtedly, if you are facing a murder or manslaughter charge, you understand that your freedom is at stake. In Missouri, the criminal justice system is tougher on homicide-related offenses than any other criminal offense. If you or a loved one has been arrested or is being investigated on a homicide-related charge, you need the immediate help of a St. Louis criminal law attorney.

Murder

In Missouri, the law distinguishes between first degree murder and second degree murder. Likewise, Missouri law distinguishes between voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.

First degree murder is the most serious charge an individual can face. It is defined as “knowingly” causing the death of another “after deliberation.” A first degree murder charge may carry the possibility of facing death penalty, if convicted.

Typically, second degree murder is the appropriate charge where the defendant lacks the necessary intent that is required in a first degree murder charge. Under either classification of murder, it is an incredibly serious charge that requires the immediate assistance of a St. Louis criminal defense lawyer.

Felony Murder Law

Missouri statute 565.021.2 provides the law for what is most commonly known as felony murder. Felony murder allows a prosecutor to prove the crime of murder by proving the defendant is guilty of an underlying dangerous felony. A prosecutor has this option if a death occurs during a dangerous felony, during the attempt to commit a dangerous felony, or during the flight from a dangerous felony. In other words, the prosecutor does not need to prove that an individual possessed the intent to commit murder. A few of the dangerous felonies that can invoke this statute are:

Further, a prosecutor has discretion to charge a defendant under this statute instead of involuntary manslaughter when both statutes apply.

Manslaughter

According to Missouri law, 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, 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. The defendant has the burden of injecting the issue of influence of sudden passion arising from adequate cause.

Although extremely serious, involuntary manslaughter is a somewhat less severe charge than a voluntary manslaughter charge. To be convicted of a involuntary manslaughter charge, the prosecution needs to prove that the defendant caused the death of another by acting recklessly. Penalties for vehicle-related deaths can be found on our DWI Page.

Contact a St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are or a loved one has been arrested for a homicide-related charge or are being investigated for one, it is imperative that you immediately seek the help of a skilled St. Louis criminal defense attorney. At Henderson Law Group, we will aggressively protect your rights and defend your freedom. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offer free consultations.

St. Louis, MO Robbery Defense Lawyer

A robbery charge should always be taken serious since the consequences of a conviction are so severe. Long term loss of freedom and a permanent criminal record are just a few of the many penalties that can result from a robbery charge in Missouri. Because of the violent nature of a robbery charge, prosecutors are extremely aggressive in their attempts to secure convictions in robbery cases. With your freedom on the line, it is imperative that you immediately speak with a qualified and skilled criminal defense attorney who can help fight these serious charges.

Under Missouri law, a robbery charge can either be classified as robbery in the first degree or robbery in the second degree. A person commits robbery in the second degree when he or she forcibly steals property from another. Robbery in the second degree is a Class B felony in Missouri. A person convicted of a Class B felony in Missouri faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and no more than 15 years. Robbery in the first degree is a Class A felony in Missouri, and carries with it a term of imprisonment that can range from 10 to 30 years. A person commits robbery in the first degree when he or she forcibly steals property from another and either causes serious physical injury to any person or possesses, uses, displays or threatens the use of a dangerous or deadly weapon.

A Strong and Aggressive Defense

From the start, the St. Louis criminal defense attorneys of Henderson Law Group will tirelessly fight to preserve your freedom. As your attorneys, we will vigorously fight to receive a fair bond amount in order to get you out of jail while we prepare your defense. In addition to fighting for a fair bond amount, we will immediately begin to investigate and scrutinize every fact of your case. We will determine what evidence the police have against you. In many robbery cases, a witness’ identification is the strongest piece of evidence against you. At Henderson Law Group, we will work hard to undermine any witness’ identification. We will also determine whether the police violated your due process rights by using suggestive identification methods. Suppression of evidence is also another method by which the criminal defense attorneys of Henderson Law Group will use to strengthen our defense. From start to finish, we will work hard to preserve your freedom.

Contact A St. Louis Robbery Defense Lawyer

If you are facing a robbery charge or are being investigated for robbery, it is imperative that you immediately contact a qualified criminal defense attorney today. At Henderson Law Group, our criminal defense lawyers are available 24/7 and can help combat these serious charges. Contact us for a free consultation.

Jefferson County, MO Unlawful Use of a Weapon Attorney

If you or a loved one has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon in Missouri, it is critical to contact a skilled and experienced St. Louis unlawful use of a weapon attorney immediately. Prosecutors across the state of Missouri are aggressively pursuing weapons offenses such as unlawful use of a weapon charges.

Unlawful Use of a Weapon Consequences

An unlawful use of a weapon charge can have serious consequences as it relates to your freedom. Prosecutors frequently push for jail time for an individual who has plead guilty or has been found guilty at trial of a charge for unlawful use of a weapon. An unlawful use of a weapon charge can also have consequences that go beyond just jail time. It can mean the loss of your rights to own or possess firearms. In can also have significant impact on your future job possibilities.

At Henderson Law Group, our St. Louis unlawful use of a weapon attorneys aggressively fight the prosecution every step of the way when defending a charge for unlawful use of a weapon. From the outset, we investigate the facts and circumstances leading to your arrest. We determine whether your constitutional rights have been violated and file necessary motions such as a motion to suppress evidence or a motion to suppress statement given to police. If a favorable plea deal cannot be reached with the prosecution, we stand ready to proceed to trial if our client wishes to do so. The St. Louis unlawful use of a weapon attorneys at Henderson Law Group are never afraid to proceed to a jury trial if we believe that is the best course of action and our client wishes to proceed with a trial.

Contact a St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney

Contact the St. Louis unlawful use of a weapon attorneys at Henderson Law Group today to learn more about the charge you are facing as it relates to your situation and how we can aggressively defend you against an unlawful use of a weapon charge. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offer free consultations.

Jefferson County, MO Weapon Violation Lawyer

In Missouri, a state or federal weapons violation charge can have serious consequences, including jail time, a stiff fine, and a permanent criminal record. In addition to the serious penalties you face, one weapon violation charge may prevent you from owning a firearm in the future. A permanent criminal record may result in the loss of your job and impair your abiliWeapon Violationty to obtain future employment. Fortunately, if you have been charged with a weapon violation in Missouri, you have rights. At Henderson Law Group, our St. Louis weapon violations lawyers will zealously and aggressively fight to protect your rights and defend your freedom.

Types of Weapon Violations Our Defense Attorneys Handle

The criminal defense attorneys of Henderson Law Group handle the following criminal charges involving a weapon:

  • Unlawful possession of a firearm charge
  • Unlawfully discharging a firearm charge
  • Unlawful transfer of weapons charge
  • Armed criminal action charge
  • Unlawful use of weapons charge
  • Defacing a firearm charge
  • Possession of a defaced firearm charge
  • Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit charge
  • Unlawful possession of an explosive weapon charge
  • Transfer of a concealable firearm charge
  • Unlawful possession of a machine gun charge
  • Unlawful possession of a switchblade knife charge
  • Unlawful possession of brass knuckles charge
  • Illegal sale of a firearm charge
  • Modifying a semi-automatic weapon to an automatic weapon

Often, an individual is charged with a weapon violation in conjunction with another felony crime such as burglary, assault, robbery, or homicide. In such cases, the use of a deadly weapon is a criminal offense in itself, but a weapon charge may also be used to enhance the punishment or prison sentence for the offender.

Defending a Weapon Violation

At Henderson Law Group, our criminal defense attorneys begin each case with a careful and thorough investigation of all the facts and circumstances surrounding your arrest. We will determine whether the actions of investigators and police officers violated your constitutional rights. We will scrutinize any informants that may have been used. Our St. Louis weapon violations lawyer will work hard for you from start to finish.

Contact a St. Louis Weapon Violation Lawyer

Contact the St. Louis weapon violation attorneys of Henderson Law Group today for a free consultation. We will not only explain the criminal process to you, but also answer any questions you may have. From the start, we will work hard for you, while aggressively protecting your rights and defending your freedom. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are being investigated or have been charged with any violent crimes, it is vital that you seek aggressive and skilled representation from the outset. The lawyers at Henderson Law Group stand ready to defend your freedom. Call 314.645.4400 today to schedule a free consultation.

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