Criminal attorney in Johnson County, MO. No matter the severity of the charges brought against you, you have rights that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is devoted to pursuing every legal option to get the best possible results for those in need of criminal defense in Johnson County, MO. We handle all levels of criminal cases from minor traffic offenses to being charges with the death of another. Whether you’re innocent, a situation was outside of your control or you just made a mistake, we will fight tenaciously for you and passionately defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Johnson County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk consultation.
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 avoid incarceration in Johnson County, MO is with the aid of an experienced and compassionate criminal attorney. We know that, whatever reason you are in this situation, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. Let us fight for you and 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 Johnson County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
Johnson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Johnson County and Missouri.
What a Criminal Attorney in Johnson County, MO Can Do For Your Case
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 Johnson County, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and stop the charges from being filed or charge you with a less serious crime.
Enforce Your Rights
When Johnson County, MO law enforcement believes someone committed a crime, there are many things they can do to acquire 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 ensure law enforcement does not infringe on:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
- Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
- Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer
Perform an Investigation
A criminal attorney in Johnson County, MO will carry out a rigorous investigation, equal to or eclipsing that of police, in an attempt to uncover 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 there were any procedural errors 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 alleged crimes and the evidence the state has. In some cases, it may be best to work with the court to mitigate the sentencing. We may make an argument in court that you should receive a lighter sentence because of mitigating circumstances. Other times it might be possible to prove you could not have committed the crime or, if we proceed to trial, convince a jury that the standard beyond a reasonable doubt was not fulfilled by the prosecution. Are witnesses unreliable? Was important evidence contaminated? Is there another legitimate suspect? We’ll do everything possible to persuade a jury they cannot ethically convict with what was presented in court.
Give You Honest Legal Counsel
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be truthful with you about the potential outcomes of your case and the best-case scenario given the evidence and charges against you. 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 Johnson County, MO Takes
Your Johnson County, MO criminal attorney has experience reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in many different cases, from Class D misdemeanors to Class A felonies like homicide. We have gotten great outcomes 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 alleged crime occurred in Johnson County, MO, Combs Waterkotte will remain non-judgmental and give you the representation you have a right to. We understand that situations get out of hand, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For sympathetic, committed and aggressive legal representation, reach out to a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Johnson County, 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 Johnson County, 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 Johnson County, MO public defenders largely do not have enough time to come up with a quality 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 the state is give better deals to defendants with a private criminal attorney than one who has a public defender. It also stated that prison sentences is, on average, five years less with a private attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious cases.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Johnson County, MO:
Call a Criminal Attorney in Johnson County, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-risk consultation with no criticism, regardless of how serious the allegations are. 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 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 Johnson County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.