Lafayette County, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Lafayette County, MO

Criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO. No matter why you’re in this situation, 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 working with the judicial system to get the most favorable results for all of our Lafayette County, MO clients. We work on criminal cases ranging from minor traffic offenses to Class A felonies. Whether you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with or you just made a mistake, we will fight persistently for you and effectively protect your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation case evaluation.

Anytime you’re facing a criminal charge, the first thing on your mind is losing your freedom and being incarcerated. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to stay out of jail or prison in Lafayette County, MO is with the aid of an accomplished and aggressive 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 skills to get your charges reduced or thrown out and pursue every option to avoid incarceration. Contact a criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Lafayette County Resources

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

How a Criminal Attorney in Lafayette County, MO Can Help

Criminal attorneys know the judicial 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 Formal Charges

After you’ve been detained, a knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Lafayette County, MO, show them evidence that corroborates your side of the story, and stop the charges from being filed or reduce the severity of the charges.

Enforce Your Rights

When Lafayette County, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they’ll go to great lengths to obtain the evidence needed to bring formal charges. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, testimony 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 illegal search and seizure
Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer

Investigate Your Case

A criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO will carry out a meticulous investigation, equal to or eclipsing that of the prosecution, in an effort to uncover physical evidence and witnesses that are beneficial to your cause. We’ll also be critical of the state’s investigation, and see 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 nature of the charges and the evidence the state is using. 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 did not committed the crime or, if we proceed to trial, persuade a jury that the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt has not been met. 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 ethically convict you based on the evidence.

Provide You With Honest Legal Counsel

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be open with you about the odds of success for different defense strategies. We know everyone wants to be found “not guilty,” or have their charges dismissed. Still, sometimes it may make the most sense for you, your family and your freedom to choose another strategy. 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 Lafayette County, MO Takes

Your Lafayette County, MO criminal attorney has experience getting positive client outcomes in numerous cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like homicide. We have gotten great results for our clients facing the following charges:

Whatever alleged crime occurred in Lafayette County, MO, Combs Waterkotte will remain non-judgmental and defend you. We understand that our emotions can get the best of us, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For sympathetic, committed and expert legal representation, get in touch with a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Lafayette 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 Lafayette County, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, a public defender may not be able to devote as much time to you case as necessary. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System reported that Lafayette County, MO public defenders have two to three times the workload they should in order to provide a good defense. While there are qualified and hard working public defenders, they are human and the realities of their job 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 reported 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 Lafayette County, MO:

Criminal Attorney Lafayette County, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Lafayette County

Call a Criminal Attorney in Lafayette County, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation consultation that’s free of any criticism, no matter what the nature of your charges. We genuinely care about all of our clients and about getting them the best result. You’ll have the cell phone number of the criminal attorney working on your case. Whether you’re innocent of the charges or did something you regret, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.