Criminal attorney in Kansas City, MO. When your future, your reputation, and your freedom are on the line in or around Kansas City, MO, you need fearless defense from a team that knows how to win. At Combs Waterkotte, our experienced Kansas City, MO criminal attorneys deliver hard-hitting representation rooted in strategy, precision, and an unwavering commitment to your rights. We’ve successfully defended clients in everything from misdemeanor traffic violations to high-stakes felonies, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Maybe it was a misunderstanding, a moment of poor judgment, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. No matter what, we’ll build a defense designed to protect your freedom and your future. Call a dedicated Kansas City, MO criminal attorney now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, 100% confidential case evaluation.
Article Summary
This in-depth page from Combs Waterkotte offers a powerful, client-centered look at navigating criminal charges in Kansas City, MO, and highlights the critical role of choosing a capable legal team. From the outset, it emphasizes the life-changing consequences of a criminal accusation and the urgent need for knowledgeable, strategic defense. The article draws a clear contrast between private legal representation and the limitations of an overwhelmed public defender system, supported by recent state and national studies.
The article walks you step-by-step through the legal defense journey. You’ll learn how the attorneys at Combs Waterkotte fight for clients — from blocking charges early, challenging unlawful police action, and gathering favorable evidence, to negotiating with prosecutors and preparing for trial if necessary. Whether you’re dealing with drug charges, assault, or a juvenile case, this page shows why Combs Waterkotte is trusted by clients across Kansas City, MO for tough, personalized defense.
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Why Hiring a Kansas City, MO Criminal Attorney is Essential
When you’re facing criminal charges, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Your freedom, your future, and your reputation are all on the line. While the U.S. leads the world in incarceration rates, that doesn’t mean your case is hopeless. With an aggressive, strategic Kansas City, MO criminal attorney by your side, you have a real chance to beat the odds.
At Combs Waterkotte, we move fast, think sharp, and stand firm to protect our clients from conviction and harsh sentencing. When your freedom is at stake in or around Kansas City, MO, we bring the full weight of our legal knowledge, resources, and courtroom experience and expertise to your defense.
Free book
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Protect Your Rights and Future
Combs Waterkotte has over 60 years of experience and over 10,000 cases handled. This ebook helps guide you through the criminal defense process and how an experienced, skilled defense attorney can keep your freedoms intact.
How a Criminal Attorney in Kansas City, MO Can Help
The law gives you the right to a defense for a reason — because your freedom, future, and reputation are too important to leave to chance. A top-tier Kansas City, MO criminal attorney from Combs Waterkotte is your first and strongest line of defense. Here’s how we protect you from day one:
Stop Charges Before They’re Filed in Kansas City, MO
The best time to fight criminal charges is before they’re even filed. If you call us quickly after an arrest in the Kansas City, MO area, we can work behind the scenes to stop the prosecution in its tracks. By presenting evidence, correcting the narrative, or exposing flaws in the investigation, we’ve helped many clients avoid charges altogether.
Shield Your Rights from Day One
Police and prosecutors are trained to build cases, not protect your rights. In fact, under a landmark Supreme Court decision, officers can legally lie during interrogations. That’s why we fight to enforce:
- Fourth Amendment rights against illegal searches or seizures
- Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination
- Your right to legal counsel under the Sixth Amendment|Sixth Amendment right to have a lawyer present|Your Sixth Amendment right to counsel}
Launch a Thorough Independent Investigation in Kansas City, MO
We don’t accept the prosecution’s version at face value. Our team works from the ground up to find favorable evidence, question assumptions, and uncover facts the state may have missed, all to build a powerful defense on your behalf in Kansas City, MO.
Tailor a Smart, Strategic Defense
{There’s no one-size-fits-all defense. We craft a legal approach that reflects the facts of your case, your goals, and your best possible outcome, whether that means negotiating a reduced charge, fighting for acquittal, or making a strong case at trial. Every case is different, and your defense should be too. Whether we’re seeking to dismiss the charges, negotiate a plea, or present your case before a jury, we build a personalized strategy designed to protect your rights and future. If trial is the right path, we’ll be fully prepared. (See some of our common common defense strategies below for more insight.)
Offer Clear, Strategic Legal Guidance in Kansas City, MO
We’re straight with you about where your case stands and what your options are. If a plea deal makes sense, we’ll explain why. If trial is the right move, we’ll be ready. At every point, you’ll have a clear, honest picture of what’s ahead, and an attorney ready to fight for you.
Jackson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jackson County and Missouri.
In addition to our leading Kansas City, MO criminal attorney services, see below for other specialities in Kansas City, MO:
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Federal Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
- Felony Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
- Gun Charges Attorney
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plan
Criminal Cases We Defend in Kansas City, MO
With over 10,000 cases just like yours under our belt, the criminal attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have the experience and tenacity to defend nearly every kind of charge in Kansas City, MO. From misdemeanors and felonies to high-level federal crimes, we deliver powerful legal defense where and when you need it most:
- DWI/DUI
- Sex Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Theft/Larceny
- Drug Charges
- Probation Violation
- Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment
- Gun Charges
- Murder/Homicide
- Juvenile Crimes
We don’t just take cases. We take on people’s lives, their reputations, and their futures. That’s why we handle every matter with urgency, empathy, and precision. You have a voice, and we’re here to make sure it’s heard.
Key Actions to Take After a Criminal Charge in Kansas City, MO
If you’ve been accused or arrested in Kansas City, MO, how you respond in the first hours or days can determine the outcome of your case. Protect your future by following these critical steps:
- Step 1 — Stay Calm & Think Strategically:
Being charged is overwhelming, but acting impulsively can do more harm than good. Stay calm, don’t argue with authorities, and avoid trying to “explain” anything. - Step 2 — Refuse to Speak Without a Lawyer:
Do not answer questions from police or investigators without an attorney present. Politely but firmly state that you’re invoking your right to remain silent. What you say can, and likely will, be used against you. - Step 3 — Contact a Kansas City, MO Criminal Attorney Right Away:
You need an experienced advocate in your corner—immediately. Contact Combs Waterkotte’s criminal defense team in Kansas City, MO at (314) 900-HELP or connect online to begin building your case. - Step 4 — Don’t Share Case Details With Others:
Talking about your situation, even with people you trust, can backfire. Anything said outside attorney-client privilege could potentially be used against you in court. Keep communications limited and confidential. - Step 5 — Understanding the Allegations Against You in Kansas City, MO:
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when charges are vague or unclear. Our Kansas City, MO criminal defense attorneys will explain your charges in plain English and outline what they mean for your future. - Step 6 — Collaborate With Us on a Winning Game Plan:
Every case has its own facts, context, and challenges. We’ll listen closely, gather the right evidence, and build a defense strategy that aligns with your personal goals and the realities of your situation.
Defense Tactics That Get Results in Kansas City, MO Criminal Cases
Being accused of a crime does not equal guilt. In every case, the prosecution must prove their claims beyond a reasonable doubt, and that’s a high bar. At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve helped thousands of clients in Kansas City and throughout Missouri avoid conviction through powerful, time-tested defense strategies built around the facts. Below are some of the most effective tactics our Kansas City, MO criminal lawyers use to protect your freedom:
- Alibi— We demonstrate that you were in a different place when the alleged crime occurred, often with location data, receipts, or eyewitness accounts, showing it would’ve been impossible for you to commit the act.
- Battered Spouse Syndrome— Common in domestic violence cases in the Kansas City, MO area, this defense helps jurors understand how chronic abuse led you to act out of fear for your life, not criminal intent.
- Consent— Especially relevant in sexual misconduct or physical altercation cases, this strategy demonstrates that the alleged victim willingly participated in the actions, undermining claims of unlawful conduct.
- Self-Defense— You have the legal right to protect yourself when facing imminent harm. If reasonable force was used to stop a threat, we’ll present the facts and context that justify your actions.
- Defense of Others— Acting to protect someone else is a valid legal defense. We provide proof that your intervention was reasonable and driven by an immediate need to prevent harm to another person.
- Stand Your Ground— You are not obligated to retreat when lawfully present in a place and reasonably perceive a threat. This defense applies both at home and in public spaces, and we have a strong track record using it effectively.
- Castle Doctrine— Under Missouri law, you have the right to defend your home against intruders without a duty to retreat. If someone unlawfully entered your residence, we can argue that your use of force was legally justified.
- Duress— If you acted under the threat of serious injury or death, we’ll demonstrate that you had no realistic alternative. You didn’t choose the crime — you were forced into it, and that distinction matters.
- Lack of Criminal Intent— Criminal charges often hinge on proving intent. If your actions were accidental, misinterpreted, or lacked the required mental state, we can push for dismissal or significantly reduced charges.
- Entrapment—
When police go too far, it’s not law enforcement—it’s entrapment. If you were tricked into committing a crime by someone in power, we’ll make sure the court sees the setup and holds it accountable. - Necessity— In crisis situations, sometimes the law allows for breaking the law. If your actions were the only way to avoid a greater harm, we’ll explain the emergency context behind your decision and argue for justification.
- Violation of Miranda Rights— If you weren’t properly informed of your rights during your arrest or interrogation in the Kansas City, MO area, any resulting statements or confessions may be inadmissible — and your case could weaken substantially.
- Insanity or Mental Incapacity— Mental health can play a critical role in criminal defense. When appropriate, we use expert evaluations to show that you lacked the capacity to form intent or understand your actions at the time of the incident.
Public Defender or a Private Kansas City, MO Criminal Attorney?
You’re legally entitled to a public defender, but when your future is on the line, experience and personal attention matter. Public defenders in and around Kansas City, MO are often stretched far too thin. A Missouri workload study found public defenders don’t have enough time to properly investigate or defend most cases.
Choosing a private attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte means choosing experience, resources, and individualized attention. We take time to listen to your story, build a strategic defense, and pursue every possible advantage. With our client-centered approach, you’ll always know where your case stands—and you’ll never be alone in the fight for your future.
Call a Kansas City, MO Criminal Attorney at Combs Waterkotte Today
Criminal charges can turn your world upside down, but you don’t have to face them alone. A dedicated Kansas City, MO criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte is ready to help you take back control. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message to schedule a judgment-free consultation. You’ll speak directly with a compassionate, battle-tested criminal attorney in Kansas City, MO who will walk you through your options and start building a strong, strategic defense. We take your case personally, and we’re here to fight for your future.
