Author:
Kimberly J. Benjamin, Founder & Managing Attorney
June 23. 2021.
Choosing an Armed Criminal Action Defense Lawyer In Kansas City
An armed criminal action defense lawyer in Kansas City is essential if you face criminal charges. In Kansas City, armed criminal action refers to using any deadly or dangerous weapon or instrument to commit most types of felonies. Of course, there are exceptions, which are defined in sections of the revised legal statutes of the state of Missouri. A dangerous instrument or weapon can be anything with the potential to cause serious injuries to the victim or kill them.
You need to note that the courts consider an automobile a dangerous instrument if its operator has a clear motive and intention to cause harm to someone else with it. Therefore, if you are facing armed criminal action charges because of a vehicular homicide accident you allegedly caused while driving an automobile, a qualified Kansas City MO criminal defense lawyer like those at our law firm could assist you in proving that you didn’t have the intention to harm the victim and that the case is limited to mere recklessness. Granted, this is one of those cases that require an experienced armed criminal action defense attorney because it can attract serious negative consequences if it’s not handled proficiently.
How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help If You Are Facing Armed Criminal Action Missouri
If you are charged as a felon in possession, it is considered an armed criminal action in Missouri. Plus, in Missouri, many people, especially young people, find themselves facing this charge when they engage in youthful flagrant actions or when committing crimes of passion with a weapon or anything similar.
A good example is when a young man gets angry over infidelity suspicions and strikes another man with a metal rod. Even if the victim was not severely injured, the offender could face armed criminal action charges. Our lawyers in Kansas City, MO, have come across similar cases involving items like knives, baseball bats, and guns.
Notably, it’s always up to the state’s discretion to file armed criminal action charges against the alleged offender. That means that it’s up to the state to determine what a deadly or dangerous weapon is in each situation. This is one reason why you need to have a very skilled criminal defense attorney on your side to convince the court that a deadly weapon was or wasn’t used, depending on the case.
Criminal defense lawyers have knowledge of law and statutes regarding criminal offenses and serious felonies such as first-degree murder, second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and aggravated assault. If you have been charged for a felony conviction, then you are barred under state and federal law.
Armed Criminal Action vs Attempted Murder
In an armed criminal action vs. attempted murder, there is a difference between armed criminal action and attempted murder. Attempted murder simply refers to an attempt to murder a person, and the people who usually face this charge are those that were unsuccessful in their attempt to kill someone else.
In such a case, the court has to be convinced that the offender took some action towards killing someone and that the action was intended to take their life, to punish them. Armed criminal action doesn’t qualify as an attempted murder unless it has certain elements:
- The action, such as stalking, luring, and breaking into the victim’s property.
- The intention, which includes the intent to act and intent to kill.
As noted earlier, armed criminal action is using dangerous or deadly weapons to commit a felony.
For clients who have been arrested for a crime of violence such as physical assault, as well as a significant theft offense like robbery or multiple traffic tickets, hiring criminal defense attorneys with years of experience in criminal law is the right choice for a personal offense when you are trying to avoid a sentence.
Hiring a Lawyer for Armed Criminal Action Charge
In an armed criminal action charge, there are specific requirements the prosecuting attorney has to meet. To be convicted of an armed criminal action crime, the court has to be sure that:
- You had a dangerous weapon
- You knew that you were carrying the weapon
- You intended to commit a felony crime at the time the weapon was in your possession
- If the weapon was a firearm, it was loaded, and you knew that the firearm was loaded.
Depending on the situation, you may also be charged with other violent crime issues, which can easily make your condition worse. For instance, carrying a loaded gun alone is a serious problem.
Selecting an Office With a Reputation for Developing a Strong Attorney-Client Relationship Is Important
Your choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.
Usually, in Missouri, courts impose harsher punishments when they’re convinced that the defendant caused serious bodily injury or killed the victim or at least intended to do so. If the judge or jury has enough reasons to believe that you are dangerous given the nature of your charges, you may receive a lengthy imprisonment duration.
When you get charged, therefore, you need to speak to an experienced armed criminal action attorney in Kansas City to understand your case as early as possible and help you achieve the best possible outcome regardless of the nature of your case. Hire a reputable and local law office.
Armed Criminal Action Sentence Missouri
An armed criminal action sentence in Missouri can be complicated to litigate in court. In Missouri, if you are found guilty of an armed criminal action or plead guilty to the charge, you will serve no less than a three-year-long prison sentence.
This punishment may be in addition to other penalties provided for the charge, if available. Remember that you need to serve a three-year sentence before you become eligible for probation, parole, or conditional release. Choose a reputable Kansas City criminal defense attorney to learn more about your options.
Retaining an Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri for Subsequent Offenses
If you’re convicted of this crime again, you may serve a prison sentence of at least five years along with any other punishment imposed for the offense. In this case, the opportunity for probation, parole, or conditional release only comes after the end of the five years.
After this sentencing for a criminal offense, other subsequent convictions may attract a prison sentence of ten years or more. Contact an experienced criminal defense law office for more information on how this may affect you.
Hire a Professional Law Firm for Your Kansas City Criminal Defense
A qualified and experienced armed criminal defense lawyer in Kansas City can help you get acquitted or avoid such severe sentences that may come with a conviction. If you or someone you love has been accused of armed criminal action, contact the Kansas City criminal defense attorneys at the Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center today for a free consultation.
