Criminal attorney in Howell County, MO. No matter the nature of the charges brought against you, you have rights that are guaranteed by the law of this country. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to aggressively and relentlessly protecting your rights to secure the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in Howell County, MO. We work 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 persistently for you and effectively enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Howell County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk case evaluation.
Anytime you’re dealing with the prospect of a criminal charge, the worst-case scenario is losing your freedom and having to spend time in jail or prison. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to avoid incarceration in Howell County, MO is with the legal counsel and advocacy 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 fight for you and get your charges reduced or dismissed and pursue every option to avoid incarceration. Reach out to a criminal attorney in Howell County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
Howell County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Howell County and Missouri.
How a Criminal Attorney in Howell County, MO Can Help
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 knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Howell County, MO, show them evidence that demonstrates it is highly unlikely you committed the crime, and stop the charges from being filed or reduce the severity of the charges.
Protect Your Rights
When Howell County, MO law enforcement believes they’ve apprehended an offender, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, a “confession” obtained in deceitful interrogations is still valid. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and verify law enforcement respects:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with probable cause
- Your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination
- Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation
Carry Out an Investigation
A criminal attorney in Howell County, MO will perform a thorough investigation, often more in-depth than that of the detectives and prostitution, in an effort to discover 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 there are holes in the state’s case.
Develop a Defense Strategy
Different cases are best defended in different ways, depending on the severity of the charges and the evidence the state is using. In some cases, we may advise to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may be able to ask the judge for a more lenient sentence because of special factors in your life and in the case. Other times we may be able to prove you could not have committed the crime or, if the case goes to trial, convince a jury that the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt has not been met. Are witnesses unreliable? Is the evidence contaminated? Is there another legitimate suspect? We’ll look into every detail of your case to persuade a jury they cannot ethically convict you based on the evidence.
Give You Honest Legal Counsel
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be sincere with you about the odds of success for different defense strategies. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. However, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. No matter what, we’ll be by your side and defend you how based on the decision you make for yourself.
Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Howell County, MO Takes
Your Howell County, MO criminal attorney has experience offering the highest level of legal advocacy in a variety of cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like homicide. Some of the cases we see most often are:
- 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 Howell County, MO, Combs Waterkotte is not here to pass judgment or reprimand you for past mistakes. We understand that situations get out of hand, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For sympathetic, devoted and expert legal representation, call a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Howell County, 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 Howell County, 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 Howell County, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to provide a good defense. While there are great public defenders, 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 found that incarceration is, on average, five years less with a private attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious charges.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Howell County, MO:
Call a Criminal Attorney in Howell County, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation case review with no disapproval, no matter what your level of innocence and the evidence against you. Our clients and their freedom matter to us. You’ll always speak directly to the attorney handling your case — not a paralegal. Whether you did nothing wrong or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Howell County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.