Lawrence County, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Lawrence County, MO

Criminal attorney in Lawrence County, MO. Regardless of how you got here, you have privileges that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to doing everything possible to get the most favorable results for all of our Lawrence County, MO clients. We work on criminal cases ranging from misdemeanor offenses to serious felony. Whether you’re accused of something you didn’t do, you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with or you simply did something you now regret, we will fight hard for you and passionately protect your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Lawrence County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk case review.

Anytime you’re facing a criminal charge, your greatest fear is losing your freedom and being incarcerated. The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration rates. The best way to stay out of jail or prison in Lawrence County, MO is with the aid of a knowledgeable and aggressive criminal attorney. We understand that, regardless of the circumstances, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. We’ll work hard to get your charges lowered or dismissed and do everything possible to avoid incarceration. Call a criminal attorney in Lawrence County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Lawrence County Resources

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

What a Criminal Attorney in Lawrence 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 knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Lawrence County, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and persuade them to drop the charges or charge you with a less serious crime.

Defend Your Rights

When Lawrence County, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they’ll go to great lengths to acquire the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, evidence obtained in deceitful interrogations is still valid. A criminal attorney will let you know what to say and what not to say and verify law enforcement does not breach:

Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
Your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination
Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation

Perform an Investigation

A criminal attorney in Lawrence County, MO will carry out a rigorous investigation, equal to or eclipsing that of the prosecution, so that we can find physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to your cause. 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 alleged crimes and the evidence the state is in possession of. 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 leniency because of mitigating circumstances. In other cases we may be able to clear your name or, if the case goes to trial, convince 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 do everything possible to persuade a jury they cannot ethically convict with what was presented in court.

Provide You With Reliable Legal Counsel

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be honest with you about the potential outcomes of your case and the best-case scenario given the evidence and charges against you. 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’ll be by your side and defend you how based on the decision you make for yourself.

Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Lawrence County, MO Takes

Your Lawrence 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 murder. Some of the charges we see most often are:

Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in Lawrence County, MO, Combs Waterkotte is not here to pass judgment or reprimand you for poor decisions. We understand that nobody’s perfect all the time, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For empathetic, dedicated and knowledgeable legal representation, reach out to a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Lawrence County, 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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, MO public defenders have two to three times the workload they should in order to come up with a good 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 mean they cannot devote the best defense possible.

Another study found that prosecutors are more likely to offer a favorable deal to a defendant with a private criminal attorney than one who has a public defender. It also reported that private criminal attorneys on average secure prison sentences five years shorter than public defenders, despite private attorneys often taking on more serious charges.

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

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

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

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a free consultation with no criticism, regardless of the nature of your charges. 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’re innocent of the charges or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Lawrence County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.