Criminal attorney in O’Fallon, MO. No matter how you got here, you have rights that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is devoted to aggressively and relentlessly protecting your rights to secure the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in O’Fallon, MO. We handle criminal cases ranging from credit card fraud to Class A felonies. Whether you’re innocent, a situation was outside of your control or you just did something you now regret, we will fight tenaciously for you and effectively enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in O’Fallon, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation consultation.
Anytime you’re dealing with the prospect of a criminal charge, your number one fear is having your freedom put in jeopardy. The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration rates. The best way to retain your freedom in O’Fallon, MO is with the legal counsel and advocacy of a veteran and committed criminal attorney. We know that, regardless of the circumstances, the prospect of severe sentences and penalties is weighing heavily on you. We’ll work hard to 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. Contact a criminal attorney in O’Fallon, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
St. Charles County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Charles County and Missouri.
How a Criminal Attorney in O’Fallon, 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 an arrest, a skilled criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in O’Fallon, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and stop the charges from being filed or charge you with a less serious crime.
Protect Your Rights
When O’Fallon, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed to prosecute. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, police are even permitted to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and make sure that law enforcement does not breach:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
- Your Fifth Amendment right to due process
- Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer
Investigate Your Case
A criminal attorney in O’Fallon, MO will conduct an exhaustive investigation, equal to or surpassing that of the prosecution, so that we can find physical evidence and witnesses that are beneficial to your cause. We’ll also examine how the evidence brought against you was acquired, and if there were any procedural errors or if the state’s evidence is unlikely to be sufficient for a conviction.
Develop a Defense Strategy
Different cases are best defended in different ways, depending on the nature of the alleged crimes and the evidence the state has. In some cases, we may advise to work with the prosecution to obtain a reduction in charges. We may request character references from neighbors and family arguing that you should receive leniency because of special factors in your life and in the case. In other cases we may be able to clear your name or, if the case goes to trial, persuade a jury that the standard beyond a reasonable doubt was not fulfilled by the prosecution. Are witnesses unreliable? Is the evidence contaminated? Is there evidence suggesting someone else is guilty for the crime? We’ll do everything possible to persuade a jury they cannot ethically convict with what was presented in court.
Give You Trustworthy Legal Counsel
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be frank 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. However, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. 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 O’Fallon, MO Takes
Your O’Fallon, MO criminal attorney has experience offering the highest level of legal advocacy in many different cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like homicide. Some of the cases we see most often are:
- 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 O’Fallon, MO, Combs Waterkotte will be compassionate and defend you. We understand that situations get out of hand, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For sympathetic, dedicated and tenacious legal representation, reach out to a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private O’Fallon, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?
The option of a free public defender can be attractive, but usually you’ll be best served by hiring a private O’Fallon, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, public defenders often have enormous case loads. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System reported that O’Fallon, MO public defenders have two to three times the workload they should in order to provide a good defense. While there are great public defenders, they are human and the realities of their job may mean they cannot devote the best defense possible.
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 found 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 O’Fallon, MO:
Call a Criminal Attorney in O’Fallon, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a free consultation that’s free of any criticism, no matter what how serious the allegations are. Our clients and their rights matter to us. You’ll have the cell phone number of the criminal attorney working on your case. Whether you didn’t do what you were accused of or did something you regret, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in O’Fallon, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.
