St. Joseph, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney St. Joseph, MO

Criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO. No matter the nature 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 dedicated to doing everything possible to get the best possible results for all of our St. Joseph, MO clients. We work on criminal cases ranging from credit card fraud to murder and homicide charges. Whether you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time or you just made a mistake, we will fight hard for you and passionately enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Anytime you’re dealing with the prospect of a criminal charge, your greatest fear is losing your freedom and having to spend time in jail or prison. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to stay out of jail or prison in St. Joseph, MO is with the dedicated representation of an accomplished and compassionate criminal attorney. We understand that, regardless of the circumstances, you are likely apprehensive about how these charges may alter your life. We’ll work hard to get your charges reduced or dismissed and do everything possible to avoid incarceration. Get in touch with a criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Andrew County Resources

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

How a Criminal Attorney in St. Joseph, MO Can Help

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 Formal Charges

After an arrest, a criminal attorney can talk to a prosecutor or district attorney in St. Joseph, MO, show them evidence that corroborates your side of the story, and persuade them to drop the charges or reduce the severity of the charges.

Protect Your Rights

When St. Joseph, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they’ll go to great lengths 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 let you know what to say and what not to say and make sure that law enforcement respects:

Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with a warrant
Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer

Perform an Investigation

A criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO will carry out a meticulous investigation, often more detailed than that of the prosecution, in an effort to find physical evidence and witnesses that are beneficial to your case. We’ll also examine how the evidence brought against you was acquired, and if there were any procedural errors or if the state’s case does not add up.

Develop a Defense Strategy

Depending on the quality and amount of evidence against you, different defense strategies might be applied. In some cases, it may be best to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may advise making a verbal statement in court asking for leniency because of special factors in your life and in the case. In other cases it might be possible to present evidence demonstrating your innocence 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? Was key evidence contaminated? Is there somebody else that may have committed the crime? We’ll do everything possible to persuade a jury they cannot ethically return a guilty verdict you based on the evidence.

Give You Sound Legal Advice

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be truthful with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges dismissed. We know everyone wants to be found “not guilty,” or have their charges dismissed. However, sometimes it may make the most sense for you, your family and your freedom to choose another strategy. No matter what, the choice of how to approach your defense is in your hands.

Cases Our Criminal Attorney in St. Joseph, MO Takes

Your St. Joseph, MO criminal attorney has experience getting positive client outcomes in a variety of 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 St. Joseph, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that nobody’s perfect all the time, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For empathetic, devoted and knowledgeable legal representation, get in touch with a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private St. Joseph, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?

It can be tempting to use a public defender at no cost, but the truth is you’ll have a better chance of success by enlisting the services of a private St. Joseph, 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 found that St. Joseph, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to provide an adequate defense. While there are excellent criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and the realities of their job may mean they cannot devote as much time necessary to your case.

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 incarceration is, on average, five years less with a private attorney, despite private attorneys generally taking on more serious charges.

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

Criminal Attorney St. Joseph, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near St. Joseph

Call a Criminal Attorney in St. Joseph, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-risk consultation with no judgment, regardless of the nature of your charges. Our clients and their rights 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 did something you regret, we’ll give you the committed, tenacious and passionate legal representation you are entitled to. Call criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.