Criminal Defense Lawyers in Southern Illinois

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Southern Illinois

Being charged with a crime in Southern Illinois can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you’ve been arrested for a misdemeanor, felony, or federal offense, the experienced attorneys at Combs Waterkotte are prepared to defend your rights, your future, and your freedom.

With decades of experience and a reputation for tough, strategic advocacy, we provide personalized criminal defense for individuals throughout Southern Illinois, from Carbondale and Marion to Belleville and beyond.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle in Southern Illinois

No matter the severity or complexity of your charge, we understand what’s at stake—and how to protect you. We provide aggressive representation for a wide range of criminal offenses, including:

• DUI
• Drug Charges — Possession, Distribution, and Trafficking
• Domestic Violence
• Violent Crimes
• Sex Crimes (including solicitation and internet-related offenses)
• Weapons Charges
• Murder
• Theft, Burglary, Robbery
• Orders of Protection
• White-Collar Crimes
• Juvenile Criminal Defense
• Expungements and Post-Conviction Relief

Each case is unique—and your defense should be too. Our attorneys take the time to understand your situation and build a custom strategy for success.

Common Criminal Defense Strategies Our Attorneys Use in Southern Illinois

Being accused of a crime is not the same as being convicted. The prosecution must prove every element of the case beyond a reasonable doubt, and you have the right to challenge their evidence at every turn. These are just some of the effective defense strategies the Combs Waterkotte Southern Illinois criminal defense team uses to protect our clients:

• Alibi: Demonstrates that you were in a different location at the time of the alleged crime, ruling out your involvement. We can support this with evidence such as GPS records, surveillance footage, or credible witness statements confirming your whereabouts.
• Castle Doctrine: This defense gives you the legal right to use force—including deadly force—against someone unlawfully entering your home, without requiring you to retreat. It’s based on the principle that your home is your sanctuary and you have the right to defend it.
• Self-Defense: Supports your right to defend yourself with necessary force when facing an immediate threat. Often used in cases involving assault, manslaughter, or other violent charges.
• Defense of Others: Shows that you acted lawfully to defend another person from immediate danger, using only the level of force necessary to prevent harm.
• Consent: We demonstrate that the alleged victim knowingly and voluntarily participated in the conduct at issue. This defense is frequently applied in cases involving assault or sexual offenses.
• Battered Spouse Syndrome: We assert that your actions were a reasonable response to a history of trauma or abuse. Given a consistent pattern of mistreatment, you had a legitimate belief that you were in imminent danger and acted accordingly to protect yourself.
• Duress: Argues that you acted under extreme pressure or threat—such as violence or death—leaving you with no real choice but to break the law. While the act itself was unlawful, the circumstances remove personal blame due to coercion.
• Entrapment: Applies when law enforcement persuades or pressures you into committing a crime you wouldn’t have committed on your own.
• Lack of Intent: Asserts that you lacked the required intent or mental state to commit the crime—meaning your actions were accidental or not driven by criminal purpose.
• Miranda Rights: Contests the use of evidence or statements obtained without properly advising you of your constitutional rights at the time of your arrest.
• Necessity: Shows that you acted out of necessity to prevent a greater danger, arguing that the circumstances left no reasonable alternative but to break the law.
• Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: You acknowledge the act but assert that, due to a mental illness at the time, you were unable to comprehend that your actions were wrong. This defense centers on your mental state during the offense—not before or after it.

The Criminal Defense Process in Southern Illinois

If you’re facing criminal charges, you may be unfamiliar with how the legal system works. Here’s a general overview of what to expect:

• Arrest or Notice to Appear: You’re formally accused and may be taken into custody or summoned to court.
• Initial Appearance and Bond: A judge informs you of your rights and the charges. Bond may be set.
• Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: The court determines if there is probable cause to proceed.
• Arraignment: You enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
• Pre-Trial Motions and Discovery: Your lawyer negotiates and examines evidence.
• Trial or Plea Bargain: Your case may go before a judge/jury or be resolved via plea deal.
• Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows according to Illinois statutes.

We help you understand every step and fight for the best possible resolution.