Sedalia, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Sedalia, MO

Criminal attorney in Sedalia, MO. No matter the severity of the charges brought against you, you have the same rights as everyone else in the United States. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is devoted to doing everything possible to secure the best possible results for those in need of criminal defense in Sedalia, MO. We work on all levels of criminal cases from credit card fraud to murder and homicide charges. Whether you’re innocent, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time or you just did something you now regret, we will fight hard for you and passionately defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Sedalia, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

If you’ve been charged with a crime, the worst-case scenario is having your freedom put at risk. The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration rates. The best way to retain your freedom in Sedalia, MO is with the legal counsel and advocacy of an accomplished and compassionate criminal attorney. We know that, however you got here, you are likely anxious about how these charges may alter your life. Let us fight for you and get your charges reduced or dismissed and do everything possible to avoid a jail or prison sentence. Contact a criminal attorney in Sedalia, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Pettis County Resources

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

How a Criminal Attorney in Sedalia, 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 Charges From Being Filed

After an arrest, a knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Sedalia, MO, show them evidence that corroborates your side of the story, and stop the charges from being filed or charge you with a less serious crime.

Protect Your Rights

When Sedalia, MO law enforcement believes someone committed a crime, they have a lot at their disposal 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 respects:

Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with probable cause
Your Fifth Amendment right to due process
Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer

Perform an Investigation

A criminal attorney in Sedalia, MO will carry out a meticulous investigation, often more in-depth than that of police, so that we can find physical evidence and witnesses that will help get your charges reduced, dismissed, or help secure a not guilty verdict. We’ll also be critical of 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

Depending on the quality and amount of evidence the state has, we’ll work with you to develop the best defense strategy. In some cases, we may advise to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may be able to ask the judge for leniency because of mitigating circumstances. Other times we may be able to present evidence demonstrating your innocence or, if we proceed to trial, convince a jury that the state has not fulfilled the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Was key evidence contaminated? Is there evidence suggesting someone else is guilty for the crime? We’ll explore every option to persuade a jury they cannot ethically find you guilty you based on the evidence.

Give You Dependable Legal Counsel

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be forthright with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges reduced. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. However, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. No matter what, the choice of how to approach your defense is in your hands.

Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Sedalia, MO Takes

Your Sedalia, MO criminal attorney has experience defending our clients’ rights in numerous cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like murder. We have gotten great results for our clients facing the following charges:

Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in Sedalia, MO, Combs Waterkotte will remain non-judgmental and give you the representation you have a right to. 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 empathetic, dedicated 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 Sedalia, 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 hiring a private Sedalia, 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 Sedalia, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to come up with a good defense. While there are qualified and diligent criminal attorneys in the public defense system, 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 found that the average prison term is five years shorter with a private criminal attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious cases.

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

Criminal Attorney Sedalia, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Sedalia

Call a Criminal Attorney in Sedalia, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation case review with no disapproval, regardless of how serious the allegations are. Our clients and their freedom matter to us. You’ll always speak directly to the attorney handling your case — not a paralegal. 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 Sedalia, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.