Criminal attorney in Taney County, MO. When your future, your reputation, and your freedom are on the line in or around Taney County, MO, you need fearless defense from a team that knows how to win. At Combs Waterkotte, our experienced Taney County, MO criminal attorneys deliver hard-hitting representation rooted in strategy, precision, and an unwavering commitment to your rights. We’ve successfully defended clients in everything from misdemeanor traffic violations to high-stakes felonies, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Whether you’re wrongly accused or simply made a bad decision, we know how to dismantle the prosecution’s case and guide you toward the best possible outcome. Call a respected Taney County, MO criminal attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
Article Summary
This comprehensive page from Combs Waterkotte presents a client-focused overview of what to expect when facing criminal charges in Taney County, MO, and why choosing the right legal defense team makes all the difference. It opens by underscoring the high stakes of criminal accusations and the urgent need for strategic, aggressive legal representation. The article walks potential clients through the critical advantages of working with a private Taney County, MO criminal attorney versus relying on overburdened public defenders, citing national and state-specific research.
Read on to gain a clear understanding of how Combs Waterkotte’s attorneys defend against a wide range of criminal charges, including violent crimes, DWI/DUI, drug offenses, sex crimes, and juvenile cases. This piece breaks down the legal defense process step-by-step, from stopping charges early to investigating evidence, asserting constitutional rights, crafting defense strategies, and negotiating with prosecutors or going to trial.
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Why Hiring a Taney County, MO Criminal Attorney is Essential
When you’re facing criminal charges, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Your freedom, your future, and your reputation are all on the line. While the U.S. leads the world in incarceration rates, that doesn’t mean your case is hopeless. With an aggressive, strategic Taney County, MO criminal attorney by your side, you have a real chance to beat the odds.
At Combs Waterkotte, we don’t wait for the prosecution to make the first move — we take the offensive. We act fast, investigate thoroughly, and leverage our deep trial experience and proven resources to protect your rights and secure your future. If you’ve been charged — or suspect you will be — in or near Taney County, MO, we’re the criminal defense team that knows how to fight and win.
Free book
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Protect Your Rights and Future
Combs Waterkotte has over 60 years of experience and over 10,000 cases handled. This ebook helps guide you through the criminal defense process and how an experienced, skilled defense attorney can keep your freedoms intact.
What to Expect From a Top Criminal Attorney in Taney County, MO
The law gives you the right to a defense for a reason — because your freedom, future, and reputation are too important to leave to chance. A top-tier Taney County, MO criminal attorney from Combs Waterkotte is your first and strongest line of defense. Here’s how we protect you from day one:
Stop Charges Before They’re Filed in Taney County, MO
Just because you’ve been arrested doesn’t mean charges are inevitable. When you involve us early, we can act fast — speaking with prosecutors, presenting exculpatory evidence, and challenging the case before it even reaches court. Many Taney County, MO clients never see formal charges thanks to early intervention.
Protect Your Rights from Day One
Law enforcement is not obligated to protect your best interests. In fact, according to a Supreme Court ruling, police are legally allowed to lie during interrogations. That’s why our defense begins the moment you call us—ensuring no one violates your:
- Search & seizure protections under the Fourth Amendment
- Your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent
- Your right to legal counsel under the Sixth Amendment|Sixth Amendment right to have a lawyer present|Your Sixth Amendment right to counsel}
Launch a Thorough Independent Investigation in Taney County, MO
We don’t rely on the prosecution’s account. Our Taney County, MO criminal defense team initiates a rigorous investigation of our own—locating new witnesses, gathering physical evidence, and uncovering procedural errors or constitutional violations that could undermine the state’s case.
Build a Defense That Works for You
{There’s no one-size-fits-all defense. We craft a legal approach that reflects the facts of your case, your goals, and your best possible outcome, whether that means negotiating a reduced charge, fighting for acquittal, or making a strong case at trial. For examples, see below for some of our most common criminal defense strategies.)
Offer Honest, Empowering Legal Guidance in Taney County, MO
We keep you fully informed and empowered throughout your case. While our goal is always dismissal or acquittal, we also advise you on plea options, sentencing alternatives, and long-term outcomes, all while remaining fully prepared to go to trial if necessary.
Taney County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Taney County and Missouri.
In addition to our leading Taney County, MO criminal attorney services, see below for other specialities in Taney County, MO:
Cases a Combs Waterkotte Criminal Attorney in Taney County, MO Handles
Our Taney County, MO criminal attorney team has successfully handled over 10,000 cases just like yours. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor, a felony, or a federal indictment, we’ve got you covered throughout the Taney County, MO area:
- DWI/DUI
- Sex Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Theft/Larceny
- Drug Charges
- Probation Violation
- Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment
- Gun Charges
- Murder/Homicide
- Juvenile Crimes
At the heart of our Taney County, MO defense strategy is a commitment to giving every client the focus, respect, and care they need. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, because your future deserves more than a one-size-fits-all solution.
What to Do Right Away If You’re Charged With a Crime in Taney County, MO
If you’re under investigation or have already been charged with a crime in Taney County, MO, the clock is ticking, and your future could depend on how quickly and carefully you act. Follow these essential steps to protect yourself and your case:
- Step 1 — Stay Calm & Think Strategically:
It’s natural to feel panicked, but rash decisions or emotional outbursts can work against you. Keep your cool and focus on protecting yourself. - Step 2 — Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent:
Do not answer questions from police or investigators without an attorney present. Politely but firmly state that you’re invoking your right to remain silent. What you say can, and likely will, be used against you. - Step 3 — Contact a Taney County, MO Criminal Attorney Right Away:
The earlier you bring in experienced legal representation, the more options you have. Combs Waterkotte’s Taney County, MO criminal attorneys know how to intervene early, negotiate strategically, and protect your rights from the very start. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online. - Step 4 — Keep Your Taney County, MO Case Private:
Whether it’s friends, family in Taney County, MO or elsewhere, or social media, don’t discuss your charges. Even casual conversations or posts can be used as evidence by prosecutors. - Step 5 — Know the Charges You’re Facing in Taney County, MO:
Understanding what you’re being charged with is critical. We’ll walk you through the legal definitions, penalties, and how they apply to your specific situation. - Step 6 — Help Us Build a Defense That Works for You:
We believe in your story. Our team works with you to build a strategy that reflects your truth and objectives. Whether that’s dismissal, a favorable plea, or taking your case to trial, we’re with you every step of the way.
Effective Legal Defenses Our Taney County, MO Criminal Attorneys Use
Facing criminal charges is frightening — but it’s important to remember that you’re presumed innocent unless the prosecution can prove otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt. At Combs Waterkotte, our Taney County, MO criminal defense attorneys develop custom legal strategies tailored to the circumstances of each case. Here are some of the impactful defenses we use to challenge charges and protect our clients:
- Alibi— We present compelling proof, like video evidence, electronic data, or witness testimony, showing you were elsewhere when the crime happened, creating clear reasonable doubt.
- Battered Spouse Syndrome— This defense shows that years of domestic abuse led to your actions. It gives juries context, allowing them to understand your actions in light of trauma and self-preservation.
- Consent— In cases involving allegations of assault or sexual misconduct, we demonstrate that the interaction was voluntary and consensual, directly contradicting the prosecution’s version of events and introducing critical doubt.
- Self-Defense— Missouri law recognizes your right to defend yourself when threatened. We’ll clearly outline the threat you faced and prove that your response was proportionate and necessary under the circumstances.
- Defense of Others— Acting to protect someone else is a valid legal defense. We provide proof that your intervention was reasonable and driven by an immediate need to prevent harm to another person.
- Stand Your Ground— This defense reinforces your right to stand firm in the face of a threat without retreat. We use your testimony, eyewitness reports, and other evidence to establish that your actions met the legal threshold for justified force.
- Castle Doctrine— Under Missouri law, you have the right to defend your home against intruders without a duty to retreat. If someone unlawfully entered your residence, we can argue that your use of force was legally justified.
- Duress— We show that you were forced to commit the crime under the threat of serious harm or death. In these cases, we don’t deny the act — we explain why you had no reasonable choice.
- Lack of Criminal Intent— If the prosecution cannot prove that you acted with the necessary mental state (intent, knowledge, or recklessness), we can argue for dismissal or reduction based on accident or misunderstanding.
- Entrapment—
When law enforcement crosses the line and pressures or tricks you into committing a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise committed, it’s not justice, it’s entrapment. We’ll expose the setup. - Necessity— Sometimes, breaking the law is the only way to prevent an even greater harm. We use this defense in emergency scenarios, arguing that your actions were both urgent and unavoidable.
- Violation of Miranda Rights— If your rights weren’t read during arrest or questioning, that’s a major violation—and we’ll fight to suppress any illegally obtained statements or confessions.
- Insanity or Mental Incapacity— In rare but critical cases, we argue that you lacked the capacity to understand the nature or wrongfulness of your actions due to a diagnosed mental illness at the time of the offense.
Public Defender or a Private Taney County, MO Criminal Attorney?
The law guarantees you access to a public defender—but when your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, that may not be enough. Public defenders in Taney County, MO often handle overwhelming caseloads, limiting the time they can dedicate to your case. According to a Missouri study, the state’s public defense system is severely under-resourced, leaving little room for in-depth casework or personalized strategy.
Studies also show that defendants with private criminal attorneys are more likely to get reduced charges, better plea offers, and significantly shorter sentences, even in more serious cases. At Combs Waterkotte, we devote our full attention and client-centered approach to every single case in Taney County, MO and beyond.
Your Taney County, MO Defense Starts with a Call to Combs Waterkotte
Criminal charges can turn your world upside down, but you don’t have to face them alone. A dedicated Taney County, MO criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte is ready to help you take back control. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message to schedule a judgment-free consultation. You’ll speak directly with a compassionate, battle-tested criminal attorney in Taney County, MO who will walk you through your options and start building a strong, strategic defense. We take your case personally, and we’re here to fight for your future.
