Criminal Attorney Festus, MO
Criminal attorney in Festus, MO. Regardless of how you got here, you have rights that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to aggressively and relentlessly protecting your rights to get the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in Festus, MO. We take on criminal cases ranging from credit card fraud to Class A felonies. Whether you’re accused of something you didn’t do, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time or you simply made a poor decision, we will fight persistently for you and effectively enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Festus, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case review.
If you’ve been charged with a a felony or misdemeanor, the first thing on your mind is having your freedom put at risk. The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration rates. The best way to retain your freedom in Festus, MO is with the legal counsel and advocacy of a knowledgeable and compassionate criminal attorney. We understand that, regardless of the circumstances, the prospect of severe sentences and penalties is weighing heavily on you. Let us use our knowledge and abilities to get your charges reduced or dismissed and pursue every option to avoid incarceration. Contact a criminal attorney in Festus, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
Jefferson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jefferson County and Missouri.
How a Criminal Attorney in Festus, MO Can Help
Criminal attorneys know the legal 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 an arrest, a skilled criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Festus, MO, show them evidence that corroborates your side of the story, and persuade them to drop the charges or reduce the severity of the charges.
Defend Your Rights
When Festus, MO law enforcement believes they’ve apprehended an offender, they’ll go to great lengths to acquire the evidence needed to bring formal charges. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, testimony 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 does not violate:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with a warrant
- Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
- Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation
Conduct an Investigation
A criminal attorney in Festus, MO will conduct a meticulous investigation, often more in-depth than that of police, in an attempt to discover physical evidence and witnesses that will help get your charges reduced, dismissed, or help secure a not guilty verdict. We’ll also examine how the evidence brought against you was acquired, and if any of your rights were violated or if the state’s case does not add up.
Develop a Defense Strategy
Different cases are best defended in different ways, depending on the nature of the alleged crimes and the evidence the state is in possession of. In some cases, we may recommend to work with the court to make the sentencing less severe. We may request leniency because of special factors in your life and in the case. In other cases we may be able to present evidence demonstrating your innocence or, if we proceed to trial, convince a jury that there is not enough evidence to convict you beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Is the evidence contaminated? Is there somebody else that may have committed the crime? We’ll look into every detail of your case to persuade a jury they cannot ethically find you guilty you based on the evidence.
Provide You With Sound Legal Counsel
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be straightforward with you about the potential outcomes of your case and the best-case scenario given the evidence and charges against you. We know everyone wants to be found “not guilty,” or have their charges dismissed. Still, 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 Festus, MO Takes
Your Festus, MO criminal attorney has experience defending our clients’ rights in a variety of 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 Festus, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that situations get out of hand, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For empathetic, devoted and tenacious legal representation, get in touch with a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Festus, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?
The option of a free public defender can be attractive, but most of the time you’ll be best served by hiring a private Festus, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, public defenders our overworked. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System stated that Festus, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to come up with an adequate defense. While there are qualified and meticulous public defenders, they are human and the realities of their job may mean they cannot devote as much time necessary to your case.
Another study found that prosecutors are more likely to offer a favorable deal to a defendant with a private criminal attorney than one who has a public defender. It also found that the average prison term is five years shorter with a private criminal attorney, despite private attorneys generally taking on more serious cases.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Festus, MO:
- DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
- Violent Crime Lawyer
- Drug Crimes Lawyer
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
Call a Criminal Attorney in Festus, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation consultation with no criticism, regardless of your level of innocence and the evidence against you. Our clients and their rights matter to us. You’ll always have access to communication directly with the attorney assigned to your case. Whether you’re innocent of the charges or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Festus, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.