Criminal attorney in Pettis County, MO. Regardless of how you got here, you have rights that are guaranteed by the law of this country. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to doing everything possible to secure the best possible results for those in need of criminal defense in Pettis County, MO. We take on all severities of criminal cases from credit card fraud to murder and homicide charges. Whether you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with or you simply made a poor decision, we will fight tenaciously for you and passionately defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Pettis County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation case review.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, the first thing on your mind is losing your freedom and being incarcerated. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to retain your freedom in Pettis County, MO is with the aid of an accomplished and committed criminal attorney. We know that, whatever reason you are in this situation, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. We’ll work hard to get your charges reduced or thrown out and negotiate with a prosecutor and judge or defend you in trial to avoid incarceration. Get in touch with a criminal attorney in Pettis County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
Pettis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Pettis County and Missouri.
How a Criminal Attorney in Pettis County, MO Can Help
Criminal attorneys know the judicial system, the laws that guide them, how to talk to a prosecutor and how to defend you in front of a jury. Some of what we can help with are:
Delay or Stop Charges From Being Filed
After you’ve been detained, a knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Pettis County, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and stop the charges from being filed or reduce the severity of the charges.
Enforce Your Rights
When Pettis County, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed to prosecute. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, a “confession” obtained in deceitful interrogations can still be presented in court. A criminal attorney will be with you every step of the way and ensure law enforcement abides by:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with probable cause
- Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
- Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation
Investigate Your Case
A criminal attorney in Pettis County, MO will conduct a thorough investigation, often more detailed than that of law enforcement’s, in an effort to discover physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to you. We’ll also be critical of the state’s investigation, and see if there were any procedural errors or if the state’s evidence is unlikely to be enough for a conviction.
Develop a Defense Strategy
Depending on the quality and amount of evidence against you, different defense strategies might be applied. In some cases, we may recommend to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may be able to ask the judge for leniency because of mitigating circumstances. Other times it might be possible to clear your name or, if we proceed to trial, persuade a jury that the state has not fulfilled the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Was much of evidence contaminated? Is there another legitimate suspect? We’ll do everything possible to persuade a jury they cannot ethically convict you based on the evidence.
Provide You With Sound Legal Advice
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be sincere with you about the potential outcomes of your case and the best-case scenario given the evidence and charges against you. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. However, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. No matter what, we will recommend what we think is best for you and let you make the final decision.
Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Pettis County, MO Takes
Your Pettis County, MO criminal attorney has experience reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in many different cases, from Class D misdemeanors to Class A felonies like murder. We have gotten great outcomes for our clients facing the following charges:
- Violent Crimes
- Theft/Larceny
- DWI/DUI
- Drug Charges
- Probation Violation
- Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment
- Gun Charges
- Sex Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Traffic Tickets
Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in Pettis County, MO, Combs Waterkotte will be compassionate and defend you. We understand that situations get out of hand, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For sympathetic, committed and skilled legal representation, reach out to a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Pettis County, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?
It can be tempting to use a public defender at no cost, but most of the time you’ll be best served by enlisting the services of a private Pettis County, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, public defenders often have enormous case loads. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System reported that Pettis County, MO public defenders largely do not have enough time to provide an adequate defense. While there are qualified and hard working criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and the realities of their job may prevent them from devoting as much time necessary to your case.
Another study found that the state is give better deals to defendants with a private criminal attorney than one who has a public defender. It also stated that the average prison term is five years shorter with a private criminal attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious charges.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Pettis County, MO:
Call a Criminal Attorney in Pettis County, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-risk case review that’s free of any judgment, regardless of how serious the allegations are. We sincerely care about all of our clients and about getting them the best result. You’ll always speak directly to the attorney handling your case — not a paralegal. Whether you didn’t do what you were accused of or did something you regret, we’ll give you the dedicated, aggressive and compassionate legal representation you are entitled to. Call criminal attorney in Pettis County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.
