West Plains, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney West Plains, MO

Criminal attorney in West Plains, MO. Regardless of how you got here, you have the same rights as everyone else in the United States. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is devoted to aggressively and relentlessly working with the judicial system to secure the best possible results for all of our West Plains, MO clients. We handle all severities of criminal cases from credit card fraud to being charges with the death of another. Whether you’re innocent, you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with or you just made a poor decision, we will fight persistently for you and effectively enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in West Plains, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

If you’ve been charged with a a felony or misdemeanor, the first thing on your mind is having your freedom put at risk. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to stay out of jail or prison in West Plains, MO is with the dedicated representation of a veteran and compassionate criminal attorney. We know that, whatever reason you are in this situation, you are likely anxious about how these charges may alter your life. We’ll work hard to get your charges lowered or thrown out and do everything possible to avoid incarceration. Call a criminal attorney in West Plains, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Howell County Resources

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

How a Criminal Attorney in West Plains, MO Can Help

Criminal attorneys know the legal 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 you’ve been detained, a criminal attorney can talk to a prosecutor or district attorney in West Plains, MO, show them evidence that demonstrates it is highly unlikely you committed the crime, and persuade them to drop the charges or only bring lesser charges.

Protect Your Rights

When West Plains, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed to bring formal charges. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, a “confession” obtained in deceitful interrogations can still be presented in court. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and make sure that law enforcement abides by:

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

Carry Out an Investigation

A criminal attorney in West Plains, MO will carry out a meticulous investigation, equal to or exceeding that of police, so that we can discover physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to your case. We’ll also be critical of the state’s investigation, and see if any of your rights were violated or if the state’s evidence is unlikely to be enough for a conviction.

Develop a Defense Strategy

Different cases need different defense strategies, 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 advise making a verbal statement in court asking for a lighter sentence because of mitigating circumstances. Other times it might be possible to prove you did not committed the crime or, if the case goes to trial, convince a jury that the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt was not fulfilled by the prosecution. Did you have a reliable alibi? Was important 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 with what was presented in court.

Provide You With Honest Legal Advice

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be direct with you about the odds of success for different defense strategies. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. However, 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 West Plains, MO Takes

Your West Plains, MO criminal attorney has experience defending our clients’ rights 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 alleged crime occurred in West Plains, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that situations get out of hand, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For empathetic, committed and aggressive legal representation, reach out to a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private West Plains, 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 West Plains, 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 West Plains, MO public defenders largely do not have enough time to come up with a quality defense. While there are excellent criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and their high case loads may mean they cannot devote as much time necessary to your case.

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

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

Criminal Attorney West Plains, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near West Plains

Call a Criminal Attorney in West Plains, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a free case evaluation with no criticism, 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 didn’t do what you were accused of or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in West Plains, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.