Violent crimes lawyer in Butler, MO. Being charged with a violent crime is one of the most serious legal situations you can face in the Butler, MO area. The prosecution will come after you with everything it has—seeking maximum penalties, prison time, and a criminal record that follows you for life. You need more than just legal representation in Butler, MO, you need a relentless criminal defense attorney with the skill and strategy to challenge the state’s case and protect your future.
Our Butler, MO violent crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte are trusted by clients facing charges from domestic violence and aggravated assault to homicide and felony weapons violations. Backed by 50+ years of combined courtroom experience, we fight every case with the intensity and preparation it demands in the Butler, MO area.
Contact our violent crimes legal team in Butler, MO now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
Article Summary
If you’re under investigation or have been charged with a violent crime in Butler, MO, time is not on your side. This page from Combs Waterkotte walks you through the legal process, the potential penalties, and how our aggressive defense strategies can protect your rights. From start to finish, we prioritize your freedom and your future in Butler, MO and beyond.
Don’t go it alone. Put an experienced legal team on your side today.
How Violent Crimes are Defined and Charged in Butler, MO
A violent crime in Butler, MO typically involves the use or threat of physical force against another individual. In some cases, violence is the primary act—like in assault or murder. In others, it’s used as a means to commit another offense, such as robbery or kidnapping.
Violent crimes in Butler, MO may include:
- Assault & Battery: Assault refers to the attempt or threat to cause harm, while battery involves actual offensive or harmful contact. There are four degrees of assault, with charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, depending on severity. Missouri does not establish a separate law for battery. Instead, what might be considered battery in another state is included under the assault laws.
- Domestic Violence: Involves abusive behavior—physical, emotional, or psychological—between family or household members. Includes acts like harassment, neglect, stalking, or even assault.
- Murder/Homicide: The most serious violent offense. First-degree murder may carry a life sentence or death penalty, while second-degree murder is still a Class A felony with decades in prison.
- Kidnapping: The unlawful restraint or abduction of a person for illegal purposes, including sexual crimes, ransom, or forced labor. This offense is often paired with other serious charges.
- Child Abuse: Encompasses physical, emotional, or sexual harm inflicted on a child. Charges range from misdemeanors to serious felonies based on the nature and extent of harm.
- Armed Robbery: The use of weapons or threats to steal property from another person. One of the most aggressively prosecuted theft-related felonies.
- Vehicular Manslaughter: Occurs when someone causes a death through reckless or negligent driving, such as driving under the influence or violating traffic laws.
Accused of a Violent Crime in Butler, MO? Here’s What to Do Next
Being accused or investigated for a violent crime in Butler, MO can feel overwhelming—but your response can shape the outcome. Here’s what the Combs Waterkotte violent crime defense attorneys urge you to do immediately:
- Step 1: Call a Combs Waterkotte Lawyer Immediately
Don’t wait to seek legal counsel. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the more time they have to collect evidence, challenge police conduct, and start building a defense. Your lawyer can help reduce charges, negotiate with prosecutors, or take your case to trial with a strategic plan in place. The Combs Waterkotte violent crimes legal team is available 24/7 by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online. - Step 2: Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
Even if you believe you’re innocent, it’s vital to exercise your right to remain silent. What you say during questioning can be twisted or taken out of context—wait until your lawyer is present to avoid damaging your case. - Step 3: Gather Any Evidence
If you have texts, videos, photos, call logs, or contact information for witnesses that support your version of events, secure them now and provide them to your lawyer. Early evidence can make or break a case. - Step 4: Understand That You Are Not Alone
The justice system guarantees the presumption of innocence, no matter what you’re accused of. Our Butler, MO violent crimes attorneys will help you face the charges with confidence and build a strategy tailored to your situation.
What Penalties Can You Face for Violent Crimes in Butler, MO?
Being found guilty of a violent crime in Butler, MO doesn’t just mean time behind bars—it can permanently alter every part of your life. A conviction can result in:
- Long-term incarceration, possibly up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty
- Probation with strict conditions
- Significant fines, restitution to victims, and court fees
- A felony on your record that limits your opportunities for decades
- Loss of voting and firearm rights
- Difficulty securing employment or housing in the Butler, MO area
- Irreversible damage to your name, relationships, and future
You can’t afford to face these charges alone. The right Butler, MO violent crime lawyer can push back against the prosecution, challenge unlawful evidence, and fight for your freedom and your future.
Your Rights After a Violent Crime Charge in Butler, MO
Being charged with a violent crime in Butler, MO can feel daunting. However, no matter the severity of the accusation, the law still protects you. Understanding your rights isn’t just crucial, it can change the entire outcome of your case. The Combs Waterkotte defense attorneys make sure those rights are not just protected, but powerfully enforced at every step:
- Stay Silent, Stay Protected.
- You Deserve the Right Lawyer.
- You Have the Right to a Fair Trial — Demand it.
- You May Have the Right to Bail — We Fight to Get You Home.
- You Have the Right to Challenge Evidence — We Do it Relentlessly.
You’re not obligated to explain, justify, or answer police questions. Silence is your strongest first defense. Let your attorney do the talking, so nothing you say can be twisted against you.
You deserve more than a public defender with a heavy caseload. Our experienced violent crime attorneys in Butler, MO intervene immediately—reviewing the evidence, launching independent investigations, and developing a defense built to win.
From jury selection to cross-examination, your trial must be fair. We make sure your side is heard and every constitutional protection is honored. That means exposing weak evidence, challenging biased witnesses, and using every legal tool available to protect your rights.
We understand how urgent it is to get you home. We fight for the lowest possible bail or argue for release, giving you the space and time to fight back with dignity.
Sloppy police work? Mishandled lab tests? Illegal searches? We look for all of it—and if there’s a flaw, we use it to your advantage.
How Combs Waterkotte Fights Violent Crime Charges in Butler, MO
No two violent crime cases are alike—and neither are our defense strategies. At Combs Waterkotte, our Butler, MO violent crimes attorneys take an aggressive, case-specific approach that’s tailored to your circumstances and legal goals. We dig deep, move fast, and leave nothing to chance. Your defense may include:
- Examining whether law enforcement had probable cause to arrest you
- Identifying constitutional violations, such as unlawful searches or coerced statements
- Interviewing witnesses and uncovering favorable evidence that supports your version of events
- Negotiating with prosecutors to seek a charge reduction, diversion, or dismissal
- Building a trial-ready case and defending you aggressively in court
Why Butler, MO Residents Choose Combs Waterkotte
Your defense shouldn’t rely on guesswork. At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve built our reputation in Butler, MO by fighting aggressively, communicating clearly, and always putting our clients first. If you’re facing serious charges, our violent crimes attorneys in Butler, MO offer the legal firepower and focus your case deserves, including:
- Meticulous trial prep from day one—not just if your case goes to court
- 5+ decades of experience defending violent crime charges in Butler and across Missouri
- Local insight into Butler, MO courts and prosecutors
- Proven record of not-guilty decisions, dismissed charges, and reduced sentences
- Former prosecutors who now use their insider knowledge to protect your rights
When you partner with a Combs Waterkotte violent crimes lawyer in or around Butler, MO, you aren’t just hiring a leading violent crimes lawyer in Butler, MO and beyond – you’re safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with experienced violent crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Butler, MO residents:
- Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
- Order of Protection Defense Lawyers
- DWI/DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyers
Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Butler, MO Violent Crimes Lawyer
Don’t wait to get help. The sooner you involve an experienced defense attorney, the better your chances of avoiding a conviction, or minimizing the damage. At Combs Waterkotte, we offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your rights and start building your defense immediately.
Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation case review with an experienced violent crimes lawyer in Butler, MO today.
