Hazelwood, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Hazelwood, MO

Criminal attorney in Hazelwood, MO. No matter how you got here, you have the same rights as everyone else in the United States. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to pursuing every legal option to secure the best possible results for all of our Hazelwood, MO clients. We work on criminal cases ranging from credit card fraud to murder and homicide charges. Whether you’re accused of something you didn’t do, you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with or you simply made a poor decision, we will fight persistently for you and aggressively defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Hazelwood, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk case evaluation.

If you’ve been charged with a crime, the worst-case scenario 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 Hazelwood, MO is with the help of a veteran and dedicated criminal attorney. We understand that, however you got here, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. Let us use our knowledge and abilities to get your charges reduced or thrown out and pursue every option to avoid incarceration. Call a criminal attorney in Hazelwood, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

St. Louis County Resources

Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.

What a Criminal Attorney in Hazelwood, MO Can Do For You

There are reasons everyone has a right to effective legal representation, and there are various ways a criminal attorney can help your case:

Delay or Stop Formal Charges

After an arrest, a skilled criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Hazelwood, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and persuade them to drop the charges or charge you with a less serious crime.

Enforce Your Rights

When Hazelwood, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed to bring formal charges. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, police are even allowed to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and make sure that law enforcement abides by:

Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
Your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination
Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer

Investigate Your Case

A criminal attorney in Hazelwood, MO will conduct a thorough investigation, often more in-depth than that of the prosecution, so that we can discover physical evidence and witnesses that will help get your charges reduced, dismissed, or help secure a not guilty verdict. We’ll also examine the state’s investigation, and see if any of your rights were violated or if the state’s case does not add up.

Develop a Defense Strategy

Depending on the quality and amount of evidence the state has, different defense strategies might be applied. In some cases, it may be best to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may request leniency because of special factors in your life and in the case. In other cases it might be possible to present evidence demonstrating your innocence or, if we proceed to trial, persuade a jury that the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt has not been met. 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 return a guilty verdict with what was presented in court.

Provide You With Reliable Legal Counsel

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be forthright with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges dismissed. We know everyone wants to be found “not guilty,” or have their charges dismissed. Still, sometimes it may make the most sense for you, your family and your freedom to choose another strategy. 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 Hazelwood, MO Takes

Your Hazelwood, MO criminal attorney has experience defending our clients’ rights in numerous cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like homicide. We have gotten great results for our clients facing the following charges:

Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in Hazelwood, MO, Combs Waterkotte will remain non-judgmental and defend you. We understand that situations get out of hand, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For empathetic, dedicated and knowledgeable legal representation, get in touch with a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Hazelwood, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?

The option of a free public defender can be attractive, but the truth is you’ll have a better chance of success by enlisting the services of a private Hazelwood, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, public defenders our overworked. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System reported that Hazelwood, MO public defenders largely do not have enough time to come up with a good defense. While there are great criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and their high case loads may mean they cannot devote as much time necessary to your case.

Another study found that prosecutors offer better deals when a private defense attorney is involved in order to avoid a lengthy trial. It also stated that private criminal attorneys on average secure prison sentences five years shorter than public defenders, despite private attorneys generally taking on more serious cases.

Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Hazelwood, MO:

Criminal Attorney Hazelwood, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Hazelwood

Call a Criminal Attorney in Hazelwood, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a free case evaluation that’s free of any disapproval, no matter what how serious the allegations are. Our clients and their freedom matter to us. You’ll always have access to communication directly with the attorney assigned to your case. Whether you did nothing wrong or did something you regret, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Hazelwood, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.