Criminal attorney in Hillsboro, MO. Regardless of why you’re in this situation, you have privileges that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to doing everything possible to secure the most favorable results for all of our Hillsboro, MO clients. We take on all levels of criminal cases from petty offenses to murder and homicide charges. Whether you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time or you simply made a mistake, we will fight hard for you and effectively defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Hillsboro, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk case evaluation.
If you’ve been charged with a a felony or misdemeanor, the first thing on your mind is losing your freedom and having to spend time in jail or prison. The United States has has two million people in prisons or jails. The best way to retain your freedom in Hillsboro, MO is with the legal counsel and advocacy of a veteran and dedicated criminal attorney. We understand that, whatever reason you are in this situation, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. Let us use our knowledge and abilities to get your charges reduced or dismissed and negotiate with a prosecutor and judge or defend you in trial to avoid a jail or prison sentence. Contact 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.
What a Criminal Attorney in Hillsboro, 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 Charges From Being Filed
After an arrest, a skilled criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Hillsboro, MO, show them evidence that demonstrates it is highly unlikely you committed the crime, and stop the charges from being filed or charge you with a less serious crime.
Enforce Your Rights
When Hillsboro, MO law enforcement believes they’ve apprehended an offender, they’ll go to great lengths to obtain the evidence needed to bring formal charges. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, police are even permitted to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and ensure law enforcement does not breach:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with a warrant
- 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 rigorous investigation, equal to or exceeding that of the prosecution, in an attempt to find 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 obtained, 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 charges and the evidence the state is in possession of. In some cases, it may be best to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may be able to ask the judge for a more lenient sentence because of mitigating circumstances. In other cases we may be able to prove you could not have committed the crime or, if we proceed to trial, convince a jury that the state has not fulfilled the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt. Did you have a reliable alibi? Was much of evidence contaminated? Is there another legitimate suspect? We’ll do everything possible to persuade a jury they cannot ethically find you guilty you based on the evidence.
Provide You With Honest Legal Advice
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be frank with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges dismissed. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. Still, sometimes the realistic most favorable option can be accepting some of the charges. 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 reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in a variety of cases, from unclassified misdemeanors to Class A felonies like murder. We have gotten great results 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 charges you’re facing in Hillsboro, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that nobody’s perfect all the time, 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 Hillsboro, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?
It can be tempting to use a public defender at no cost, but the truth is you’ll have a better chance of success by enlisting the services of 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 found that Hillsboro, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to provide a quality defense. While there are excellent public defenders, 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 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 stated that the average prison term is five years shorter with a private criminal attorney, despite private attorneys often taking on more serious cases.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Hillsboro, MO:
Call a Criminal Attorney in Hillsboro, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-risk consultation that’s free of any criticism, regardless of 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 the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll give you the committed, aggressive and compassionate legal representation you are entitled to. Call criminal attorney in Hillsboro, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.