Violent Crimes Lawyer in St. Louis
Let Combs Waterkotte Defend Your Rights and Interests
Last Updated: January 24, 2024
This content has been written and edited by professional legal writers and individually reviewed and verified by Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte, attorneys who have over 40 combined years in the criminal defense industry.
Violent Crimes Lawyer in St Louis:
Protect Your Freedom & Future
If you have been arrested or charged with manslaughter, battery, homicide, or any other violent crime, you will want to have an experienced and knowledgeable St. Louis violent crimes lawyer that can defend your rights and freedoms. Combs Waterkotte knows that sometimes situations can get out of hand, so we are not here to pass judgment. We will work very hard to get your charges reduced or outright dismissed. However, if we end up going to trial, we will formulate an effective criminal defense strategy that improves your likelihood of a positive outcome.
St. Louis Violent Crimes Defense Attorney
At Combs Waterkotte, we have an impressive record of defending clients accused of violent crimes in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Our attorneys will work with you one-on-one to determine the best course of action in your case.
Combs Waterkotte fights hard to protect our clients' interests. Contact one of our St. Louis criminal defense attorneys now at (314) 900-HELP.
We possesses a deep knowledge of the criminal justice system and will know the right actions to take in building your strong criminal defense. Our personalized approach to legal services is unique among criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis. Unlike other firms, we make sure that your case will not get lost in the shuffle and If you want personalized service and want to access your attorney at any time, day or night, you should call us at (314) 900-HELP for a free, confidential conversation.
Defending Yourself Against Violent Crime Charges in St. Louis
Defending violent crimes in St. Louis and anywhere in Missouri requires a combination of legal and professional skills that not all attorneys possess. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide you with an honest and realistic opinion about the likely outcomes of your case. To start, we will review your police report, physical evidence, witness statements, and any other evidence for your case. Our attorneys will then look at your past criminal record (if you have one) to see whether you could potentially face repeat offender treatment from the judicial system. We will then develop best- and worst-case scenarios and provide you with our expert opinion on different options to take for your case. Once we agree on what strategies will limit your negative outcomes, we will work diligently for a successful outcome.
What To Do If You Are Accused Of A Violent Crime in St. Louis or Missouri
The National Institute of Justice defines a violent crime as a crime in which "a victim is harmed by or threatened with violence." The FBI goes on to categorize them as "murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault ."
If you're accused of any such crimes in St. Louis, it is undoubtedly a serious matter. Knowing what to do after being arrested or indicted is crucial, and our St. Louis violent crimes attorney suggests you take the following steps:
- Call a lawyer: Having an attorney available to work on your case as early as possible is critical to getting a successful outcome. A good lawyer can help review police reports, gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and build a strong defense. They can also look for potential ways to get your charges reduced or outright dismissed, or plan an effective, winning trial strategy.
- Don't say anything: When police say "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" while reading you your Miranda rights, believe them. Saying the wrong thing during investigations could potentially change the outcome of your case and give prosecutors ample material to prove guilt. Having a good criminal defense lawyer is crucial in this regard, as you would want to tell the truth but in the correct way.
- Understand that you are innocent until proven guilty: Sadly, in this day and age, simply being accused of a crime automatically makes you guilty in the minds of many people. This can deeply alter your mental health and make you consider things that you would never do under better circumstances. Luckily for you, your St. Louis criminal defense attorney understands what you are going through and can help you see points of light in a world of darkness.
How Can Violent Crimes Defense Lawyers in St. Louis, MO Can Help Me?
At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve dedicated our careers to helping good people in bad situations. The specifics of our defense strategy will be based on the specifics of your case.
Our criminal defense attorneys will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation into your case
- Look for weak spots in the prosecution’s case
- Make sure your rights were not violated during the police investigation
- Fight to keep evidence out of court if it was not properly obtained
- Keep you up-to-date on your case at all times, and be available day and night
- Seek to have your charges dismissed
- Advise you on plea deals to have charges reduced
- Defend you at trial if we have to
St. Louis, Missouri Violent Crimes We Handle
Combs Waterkotte employs various approaches when defending our St. Louis clients’ rights in reckless driving cases, including:
We can help you fight any of the following criminal charges:
What Are the Penalties for Violent Crimes in St. Louis and Missouri?
The sentence for being convicted of a violent crime vary depending on the nature and severity of the charges, your previous criminal history and the skill of your violent crimes defense lawyer in St. Louis. Under Missouri sentencing laws, the punishment for a violent crimes conviction can range from fines, to probation, to mandatory counseling, to weeks or months in jail to years, decades or even a lifetime in prison.
Under Missouri Revised Statute §558.011, the terms of imprisonment, including both incarceration and conditional release, are:
- Class A Felony — 10 to 30 years, or life
- Class B Felony — 5 to 15 years
- Class C Felony — 3 to 10 years
- Class D Felony — Not more than 7 years
- Class E Felony — Not more than 4 years
- Class A Misdemeanor — Not more than one year
- Class B Misdemeanor — Not more than 6 months
- Class C Misdemeanor — Not more than 15 days
Certain violent crimes, like murder or certain crimes against children, carry unique penalties under Missouri law.
Why Choose Combs Waterkotte For Your St. Louis, MO Violent Crimes Criminal Defense
If you’ve been charged with a serious violent crime, you need an equally serious St. Louis criminal defense lawyer with ample experience in criminal defense cases to fight the good fight for you. If you want a St. Louis, MO attorney that will work with you to protect your rights and freedoms, Combs Waterkotte is your best option. We will work aggressively to defend you throughout your case and will provide personalized legal solutions tailored for your situation. When you’re ready to make the right decision about your criminal charges, please contact us, using our contact form or by calling (314) 900-HELP for a free case evaluation.