Criminal attorney in St. Louis, Missouri. When your future, your reputation, and your freedom are on the line, you need fearless defense from a team that knows how to win. At Combs Waterkotte, our experienced criminal attorneys in St. Louis deliver hard-hitting representation rooted in strategy, precision, and an unwavering commitment to your rights. We’ve successfully defended clients in everything from minor traffic violations to high-stakes felonies, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Whether you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, made a mistake, or are completely innocent, we’ll fight to get your charges dismissed, reduced, or resolved in your favor. Call a trusted St. Louis criminal attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, fully confidential case review.
Article Summary
This comprehensive page from Combs Waterkotte presents a client-focused overview of what to expect when facing criminal charges in St. Louis, and why choosing the right legal defense team makes all the difference. It opens by underscoring the high stakes of criminal accusations and the urgent need for strategic, aggressive legal representation. The article walks potential clients through the critical advantages of working with a private criminal attorney versus relying on overburdened public defenders, citing national and state-specific research.
Read on to gain a clear understanding of how Combs Waterkotte’s attorneys defend against a wide range of criminal charges, including violent crimes, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, sex crimes, and juvenile cases. This piece breaks down the legal defense process step-by-step, from stopping charges early to investigating evidence, asserting constitutional rights, crafting defense strategies, and negotiating with prosecutors or going to trial.
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St. Louis Criminal Attorney: Combs Waterkotte
Anytime you’re facing criminal charges, your worst fear is becoming just another statistic in the justice system. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, but that doesn’t mean jail or prison is inevitable. With the right St. Louis criminal attorney in your corner, you can fight back.
At Combs Waterkotte, we move fast, think sharp, and stand firm to protect our clients from conviction and harsh sentencing. When your freedom is at stake, we bring the full weight of our legal knowledge, resources, and courtroom experience and expertise to your defense.
How a Criminal Attorney in St. Louis Can Help
There’s a reason the Constitution guarantees your right to legal representation, because the stakes are too high to go it alone. Here’s what a skilled St. Louis criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte can do for you:
Stop Charges Before They’re Filed in St. Louis
Being arrested doesn’t automatically mean charges will stick. If you act quickly, our team can intervene before formal charges are filed. We’ll meet with prosecutors, present critical evidence, and often succeed in getting charges dropped or significantly reduced at the earliest stages.
Protect Your Rights from Day One
Police and prosecutors are trained to build cases, not protect your rights. In fact, under a landmark Supreme Court decision, officers can legally lie during interrogations. That’s why we fight to enforce:
- Your Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful search and seizure
- Your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent
- Your Sixth Amendment right to counsel
Launch a Thorough Independent Investigation
We don’t rely on the prosecution’s version of events. Our team builds a defense from the ground up, locating witnesses, securing physical evidence, and identifying any procedural missteps or constitutional violations that could be used to your advantage.
Build a Custom Legal Defense Strategy in St. Louis
No two criminal cases are alike. Whether we fight for your exoneration, negotiate a favorable plea, or argue for leniency based on mitigating factors, our goal is the same: to get you the best possible outcome. If trial becomes necessary, we come prepared with compelling arguments and rock-solid strategy. (See below for common defense strategies our St. Louis criminal attorney may use for your case.)
Offer Honest, Empowering Legal Guidance
At every step, we’ll walk you through your options with total clarity. While we’ll aggressively pursue dismissal or acquittal, we’ll also help you weigh all avenues, including plea deals or alternative resolutions, to protect your long-term interests. As opposed to many other criminal attorneys, we are ready for trial.
Cases a Combs Waterkotte Criminal Attorney in St. Louis Handles
Our St. Louis criminal attorney team has successfully handled over 10,000 cases just like yours. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor, a felony, or a federal indictment, we’ve got you covered throughout the St. Louis area:
- DWI/DUI
- Sex Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Theft/Larceny
- Drug Charges
- Probation Violation
- Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment
- Gun Charges
- Murder/Homicide
- Juvenile Crimes
Our approach is simple: treat every case and every client with the urgency, compassion, and attention to detail they deserve. Your story matters, and we’re here to help you rewrite the ending.
Steps to Take If You’re Charged With a Crime in St. Louis
If you’re under investigation or have already been charged with a crime in St. Louis, the clock is ticking, and your future could depend on how quickly and carefully you act. Follow these essential steps to protect yourself and your case:
- Step 1 — Stay Calm & Think Strategically:
It’s natural to feel panicked, but rash decisions or emotional outbursts can work against you. Keep your cool and focus on protecting yourself. - Step 2 — Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent:
Do not answer questions from police or investigators without an attorney present. Politely but firmly state that you’re invoking your right to remain silent. What you say can, and likely will, be used against you. - Step 3 — Demand Legal Representation Immediately:
The sooner you have a defense attorney on your side, the better. Studies show defendants represented by private attorneys often receive better plea deals and shorter sentences. Call Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online as soon as possible to speak with a skilled St. Louis criminal attorney. - Step 4 — Avoid Talking About Your Case:
Whether it’s friends, family in St. Louis or elsewhere, or social media, don’t discuss your charges. Even casual conversations or posts can be used as evidence by prosecutors. - Step 5 — Know the Charges You’re Facing:
Understanding what you’re being charged with is critical. We’ll walk you through the legal definitions, penalties, and how they apply to your specific situation. - Step 6 — Partner With Us on Your Defense Strategy:
Your side of the story matters. At Combs Waterkotte, we take the time to listen and craft a defense tailored to the facts and your goals—whether that’s beating the charges, negotiating a favorable deal, or fighting for an acquittal in court.
Effective Legal Defenses Our St. Louis Criminal Attorneys Use
Just because you’ve been charged with a crime doesn’t mean you’re guilty. In fact, the burden of proof lies entirely with the prosecution, and they must convince a jury of your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve successfully defended clients in St. Louis and across Missouri by employing powerful, well-tested defense strategies tailored to each case. Here are some of the most common defenses our St. Louis criminal attorneys use:
- Alibi— We present evidence proving you were somewhere else when the alleged offense occurred, such as GPS records, surveillance footage, or credible witnesses, to establish it was physically impossible for you to have committed the crime.
- Battered Spouse Syndrome— Often used in domestic violence cases, this defense shows you acted out of survival instinct after enduring prolonged abuse, helping jurors understand the psychological impact behind your actions.
- Consent— Especially relevant in sexual assault or physical altercation cases, this strategy demonstrates that the alleged victim willingly participated in the actions, undermining claims of unlawful conduct.
- Self-Defense— You have the legal right to protect yourself when facing imminent harm. If reasonable force was used to stop a threat, we’ll present the facts and context that justify your actions.
- Defense of Others— If you acted to protect someone else from immediate harm, we present evidence that your intervention was not only reasonable, but legally protected.
- Stand Your Ground— Missouri law allows individuals to use force without retreating if they are lawfully present and reasonably perceive a threat. We’ve successfully invoked this defense in cases outside the home as well.
- Castle Doctrine— Under Missouri law, you have the right to defend your home against intruders without a duty to retreat. If someone unlawfully entered your residence, we can argue that your use of force was legally justified.
- Duress— We show that you were forced to commit the crime under the threat of serious harm or death. In these cases, we don’t deny the act — we explain why you had no reasonable choice.
- Lack of Criminal Intent— If the prosecution cannot prove that you acted with the necessary mental state (intent, knowledge, or recklessness), we can argue for dismissal or reduction based on accident or misunderstanding.
- Entrapment— When law enforcement crosses the line and pressures or tricks you into committing a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise committed, it’s not justice, it’s entrapment. We’ll expose the setup.
- Necessity— Sometimes, breaking the law is the only way to prevent an even greater harm. We use this defense in emergency scenarios, arguing that your actions were both urgent and unavoidable.
- Violation of Miranda Rights— If you weren’t properly informed of your rights during your arrest or interrogation in the St. Louis area, any resulting statements or confessions may be inadmissible — and your case could weaken substantially.
- Insanity or Mental Incapacity— In rare but critical cases, we argue that you lacked the capacity to understand the nature or wrongfulness of your actions due to a diagnosed mental illness at the time of the offense.
Public Defender or a Private St. Louis, MO Criminal Attorney?
You’re legally entitled to a public defender, but when your future is on the line, experience and personal attention matter. Public defenders in Missouri are often stretched far too thin. A Missouri workload study found public defenders don’t have enough time to properly investigate or defend most cases.
Studies also show that defendants with private criminal attorneys are more likely to get reduced charges, better plea offers, and significantly shorter sentences, even in more serious cases. At Combs Waterkotte, we devote our full attention and client-centered approach to every single case.
Call a St. Louis, MO Criminal Attorney at Combs Waterkotte Today
The sooner you get a skilled criminal attorney involved, the stronger your defense will be. At Combs Waterkotte, we’re not here to judge — we’re here to fight. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-pressure, no-obligation consultation. You’ll speak directly with an experienced St. Louis criminal attorney and gain immediate clarity on your rights and your legal options. Whether you’re facing your first charge or defending your future against serious allegations, we’re ready to stand between you and the government. Let us fight for you.
