Hillsboro, MO

Posted by Emily Herr on June 14, 2022

Criminal Attorney Hillsboro, MO

Criminal attorney in Hillsboro, MO. Regardless of why you’re in this situation, you have rights that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to doing everything possible to get the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in Hillsboro, MO. We take on all severities of criminal cases from petty offenses to being charges with the death of another. Whether you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, a situation was outside of your control or you simply made a mistake, we will fight persistently for you and aggressively defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Hillsboro, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

If you’ve been charged with a crime, the worst-case scenario is losing your freedom and being incarcerated. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to stay out of jail or prison in Hillsboro, MO is with the help of an experienced and committed criminal attorney. We understand that, regardless of the circumstances, the prospect of the consequences of these charges is weighing heavily on you. We’ll work hard to get your charges lowered or dismissed and negotiate with a prosecutor and judge or defend you in trial to avoid a jail or prison sentence. Reach out to a criminal attorney in Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, 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 an arrest, a knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Hillsboro, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and persuade them to drop the charges or reduce the severity of the charges.

Defend Your Rights

When Hillsboro, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, police are even allowed to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will be with you every step of the way and make sure that law enforcement respects:

Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation

Investigate Your Case

A criminal attorney in Hillsboro, MO will perform a thorough investigation, equal to or surpassing that of the prosecution, in an effort to find physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to your case. We’ll also examine the state’s investigation, and see if any of your rights were violated or if the state’s evidence is unlikely to be sufficient for a conviction.

Develop a Defense Strategy

Different cases are best defended in different ways, depending on the nature of the charges and the evidence the state is in possession of. In some cases, we may recommend to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may request a more lenient sentence because of special factors in your life and in the case. Other times 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 was not fulfilled by the prosecution. Did you have a reliable alibi? Was much of evidence contaminated? Is there somebody else that may have committed the crime? We’ll explore every option to persuade a jury they cannot ethically convict you based on the evidence.

Give You Honest Legal Advice

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be frank with you about the odds of success for different defense strategies. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. 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 Hillsboro, MO Takes

Your Hillsboro, MO criminal attorney has experience getting positive client outcomes in many different cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like homicide. Some of the cases we see most often are:

Whatever alleged crime occurred in Hillsboro, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that our emotions can get the best of us, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For empathetic, devoted and aggressive legal representation, reach out to a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Hillsboro, 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 hiring a private Hillsboro, 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 stated that Hillsboro, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to provide an adequate defense. While there are great criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and the realities of their job may keep them from devoting as much time necessary to your case.

Another study found that the state is more likely to offer a favorable deal to a defendant with a private criminal attorney than one who has a public defender. It also stated that private criminal attorneys on average secure prison sentences five years shorter than public defenders, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious cases.

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

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

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

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation consultation that’s free of any criticism, regardless of the nature of your charges. We sincerely care about all of our clients and about getting them the best result. You’ll always have access to communication directly with the attorney assigned to your case. Whether you’re innocent of the charges or did something you regret, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Hillsboro, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.