Independence, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Independence, MO

Criminal attorney in Independence, MO. No matter why you’re in this situation, you have privileges that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to aggressively and relentlessly working with the judicial system to secure the best possible results for those in need of criminal defense in Independence, MO. We work on criminal cases ranging from minor traffic offenses to being charges with the death of another. Whether you’re accused of something you didn’t do, a situation was outside of your control or you just made a poor decision, we will fight persistently for you and aggressively protect your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Independence, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case review.

If you’ve been charged with a crime, your greatest fear 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 Independence, MO is with the help of a veteran and compassionate criminal attorney. We know that, however you got here, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. We’ll work hard to get your charges reduced or thrown out and do everything possible to avoid incarceration. Reach out to a criminal attorney in Independence, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Jackson County Resources

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

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

Criminal attorneys know the criminal defense 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 Independence, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and stop the charges from being filed or reduce the severity of the charges.

Enforce Your Rights

When Independence, MO law enforcement believes someone committed a crime, there are many things they can do 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 respects:

Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
Your Fifth Amendment right to due process
Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation

Perform an Investigation

A criminal attorney in Independence, MO will conduct a meticulous investigation, often more detailed than that of police, in an attempt to uncover physical evidence and witnesses that are beneficial to you. We’ll also be critical of 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 against you, we’ll work with you to develop the best defense strategy. In some cases, we may recommend to accept a plea deal. We may recommend writing a petition to the judge for leniency because of special factors in your life and in the case. Other times we may be able to clear your name or, if we proceed to trial, persuade 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 somebody else that may have committed the crime? We’ll look into every detail of your case to persuade a jury they cannot morally return a guilty verdict with what was presented in court.

Provide You With Sound Legal Advice

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be honest with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges reduced. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. Still, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. No matter what, the choice of how to approach your defense is in your hands.

Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Independence, MO Takes

Your Independence, MO criminal attorney has experience reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in a variety of cases, from traffic violations to Class A felonies like murder. We have gotten great outcomes for our clients facing the following charges:

Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in Independence, MO, Combs Waterkotte will be compassionate and give you the representation you have a right to. We understand that nobody’s perfect all the time, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For empathetic, committed and knowledgeable legal representation, reach out to a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Independence, 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 enlisting the services of a private Independence, 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 Independence, MO public defenders have two to three times the workload they should in order to provide an adequate defense. While there are great criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and the amount of work they have to do may keep them from devoting the best defense possible.

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 private criminal attorneys on average secure prison sentences five years shorter than public defenders, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious charges.

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

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

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

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-risk case review 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 the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Independence, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.