A criminal defense lawyer in Godfrey, IL is a legal advocate who defends individuals facing criminal charges in state courts, ensuring their rights are protected at every stage of the legal process.
If you’ve been arrested, charged with a crime, or are under investigation in Godfrey, IL, you need a legal team that knows the courts and knows how to fight back. Combs Waterkotte‘s Godfrey, IL criminal defense lawyers provide aggressive, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal support for clients in Godfrey and across Southern Illinois.
From DUI arrests to drug charges and serious felonies, we step in quickly, explain your options, and protect your future.
What You’ll Learn on This Page
- Why working with a criminal defense lawyer in Godfrey, IL gives you an advantage in the local legal system
- An overview of the most common charges we defend — from DUI to drug crimes and assault
- Why early intervention, thorough case review, and trial readiness define our approach
- What the criminal process looks like after an arrest — from booking through trial or plea deals
- What to look for in a criminal defense lawyer — and how Combs Waterkotte stands apart
- What to do right now if you’re facing criminal accusations — and how to protect yourself
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.
Why Hire a Local Godfrey, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer?
When you’re facing criminal charges, having a defense lawyer who knows the local Godfrey, IL landscape can be the difference between a conviction and a second chance. Southern Illinois courts each have their own prosecutors and personalities, and you need more than just legal knowledge to handle them — you need local insight.
These are just a few reasons a local criminal defense attorney is the right choice:
- We know the players. No two courtrooms are the same. We understand how individual judges approach cases and what local prosecutors consider during plea negotiations.
- We know the process. Local knowledge of pretrial alternatives, paperwork, and timelines helps us streamline your defense.
- We’re close by. We can respond quickly to emergencies because we’re already in the region.
- We have a reputation. Combs Waterkotte is known and respected throughout Southern Illinois for strong advocacy, thorough preparation, and real results.
Hiring a local attorney gives you the best possible chance at a fair outcome — with someone who knows your court and your community.
What Criminal Charges Do We Defend in Godfrey, IL?
Criminal cases vary, but the Constitution guarantees your right to a fair trial and legal representation. Combs Waterkotte’s Godfrey, IL criminal defense lawyers represent clients across Southern Illinois facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies.
Some of the most common criminal charges we handle include:
- DUI: Our goal in every DUI case is to minimize the damage — including fighting the evidence and protecting your license from suspension.
- Drug Possession and Trafficking: From minor possession cases to large-scale distribution charges, we work to suppress unlawful searches, negotiate reduced charges, and avoid incarceration.
- Assault and Battery: From bar fights to felonies, we defend assault and battery cases by exposing inconsistencies in evidence and asserting your right to a fair trial.
- Domestic Battery: These are some of the most sensitive charges we handle — and we approach them with care, strategy, and an eye on long-term consequences.
- Theft and Burglary: From minor theft to major burglary, our defense focuses on protecting your record and challenging every aspect of the case.
- Weapons Charges: We defend clients accused of unlawful possession, concealed carry violations, or weapon enhancements tied to other charges.
- White Collar Crimes: These cases are high-stakes and often complex — we help clients protect their names, their careers, and their future.
- Sex Offenses: Sex crime allegations are serious — we respond with a focused defense, aiming to protect your record, rights, and reputation.
- Juvenile Defense: When minors are charged with crimes, our priority is protecting their future — not just fighting charges.
- Probation Violations: We challenge technical violations and advocate for solutions that don’t involve incarceration.
Being charged with a crime doesn’t mean you’re guilty, and it doesn’t mean you have to navigate this alone. Our job is to help you regain control — by clarifying your options, protecting your rights, and preparing you for what comes next.
How Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Defend Charges in Godfrey, IL
We don’t wait for court to start building your case — your defense begins on day one. Our Godfrey, IL criminal defense lawyers leverage years of experience and local knowledge to plan, prepare, and protect you from day one.
Here’s how we build your defense:
- Early Intervention: We act fast — often before formal charges are filed — to protect your rights and start shaping the case from the very beginning.
- Independent Investigation: We don’t rely solely on the prosecution’s version of events. We dig into every detail to uncover the full story.
- Pretrial Motions: We challenge unlawful searches, faulty warrants, and other procedural violations that could invalidate the case.
- Tactical Negotiation: Our ability to negotiate comes from being fully prepared to win in court — and prosecutors know it.
- Trial-Ready Representation: We don’t just show up to court — we arrive ready to win, with every detail accounted for.
- Client-Centered Advocacy: Your goals guide our strategy. We’re available 24/7, and we don’t charge by the hour — so you’re never alone or in the dark.
With Combs Waterkotte on your side in Godfrey, IL, you’ll have a plan, a clear line of communication, and a defense that puts you first.
What Happens After an Arrest in Godfrey, IL?
If you’ve never been arrested before, the experience can feel overwhelming and confusing. The more you know about the process, the better prepared you’ll be to protect your rights and make informed decisions.
Let’s walk through the common stages that follow an arrest in Godfrey, IL:
- Booking: After your arrest, you’ll be taken to the local jail for processing. You’ll be fingerprinted, photographed, and formally charged as part of the booking process.
- Bond Hearing: Shortly after arrest, you’ll attend a bond hearing where a judge decides your release terms. We advocate aggressively for your release or for the lowest possible bond.
- Arraignment: This is your first formal court appearance. You’ll hear your charges read aloud by the judge and be asked to enter a plea. Our job is to make sure you’re informed, supported, and legally protected at this stage.
- Discovery and Pretrial Motions: This phase is the foundation of your defense strategy. We request all the prosecution’s evidence, challenge weak or illegally obtained evidence, and file motions to suppress or dismiss.
- Plea or Trial: We weigh the facts, evaluate your goals, and determine whether a plea deal or trial is the right path. Either way, you’ll have a clear strategy and confident representation.
When should you hire a lawyer?
As soon as possible. The earlier we’re involved, the more we can do to help, from protecting your rights during police questioning to influencing the direction of the case before it gains momentum.
Can charges be dropped before trial?
Absolutely. Charges are often dropped or reduced because of procedural errors, weak evidence, or strong legal arguments before trial. Our team scrutinizes every aspect of the case to uncover flaws in the state’s argument.
How to Choose the Right Godfrey, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer
The lawyer you choose can make a massive difference in how your case plays out — and how your life looks afterward. So how do you decide which attorney is best for you?
What should you prioritize when selecting a criminal lawyer in Godfrey, IL?
- Local Experience: Knowing the personalities and patterns of the local courts gives your defense a real edge.
- Track Record of Results: Ask about outcomes in cases like yours. Dismissals, reduced charges, and not-guilty verdicts are all signs you’re working with a proven advocate.
- Responsive Communication: Look for someone who listens, explains your options plainly, and stays in touch as your case moves forward.
- Trial Readiness: Your lawyer should be ready and willing to take your case to trial if necessary — and not pressure you into settling just to avoid litigation.
- Client-Focused Approach: A strong defense starts with understanding you — your background, your goals, and your side of the story.
At Combs Waterkotte, we bring together legal skill and genuine dedication to protecting the people we represent. Let us help you take control of your case and face the road ahead with strength and clarity.
Free book
How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Charged with a crime? The lawyer you hire matters. Combs Waterkotte, recognized for top-tier criminal defense in Missouri and Southern Illinois, created this guide to help you find the right attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
Talk to a Godfrey, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you’re facing criminal charges — or even just being investigated — the decisions you make right now could shape the rest of your life. You need a criminal defense lawyer in Godfrey, IL who knows the local courts, understands the stakes, and is ready to fight for you from the very first conversation.
Contact Combs Waterkotte online or call (314) 900-HELP today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us hear your side, walk you through your legal options, and start planning a defense that puts you in the strongest possible position.
