Violent crimes lawyer in Garden City, MO. When you’re accused of a violent crime anywhere in the Garden City, MO area, everything is at stake—your freedom, your career, and your family’s future. These cases move fast and hit hard in Garden City, MO, often carrying mandatory prison time and permanent stigma. You need an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Garden City, MO who knows how to push back from day one with a smart, strategic defense.
The Garden City, MO violent crimes lawyers at Combs Waterkotte have decades of experience defending clients against charges like assault, homicide, and armed robbery. We’re known for our trial readiness, attention to detail, and ability to dismantle weak evidence. With 50+ years of combined experience, we know how to fight—and win—serious criminal cases.
Call our violent crimes defense team now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our expert attorneys.
Article Summary
If you’re under investigation or have been charged with a violent crime in Garden City, 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 Garden City, MO and beyond.
Don’t wait. Get immediate, experienced help—your defense starts here.

How Violent Crimes are Defined and Charged in Garden City, MO
Violent crimes in Garden City, MO involve causing or threatening physical harm to another person. Whether the violence is the main offense, like murder, or the method used in another crime, such as robbery, these charges are taken seriously and aggressively prosecuted in and around Garden City, MO.
Violent crimes in Garden City, MO may include:
- Assault & Battery: Assault refers to threats or attempts to injure someone, while battery is the actual physical contact. In Missouri, the degree of assault determines whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony.
- Domestic Violence: Covers physical, emotional, and psychological abuse between family or household members. Related charges may include harassment, stalking, assault, and neglect.
- 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 confinement or abduction of an individual for purposes like sexual assault, ransom, or forced labor. This is a felony offense that can carry life sentences.
- 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 a weapon to steal or intimidate during a theft. Often charged as aggravated robbery and treated as a felony offense with enhanced sentencing.
- Vehicular Manslaughter: Occurs when someone causes a death through reckless or negligent driving, such as driving under the influence or violating traffic laws.
What You Should Do After Being Accused of a Violent Crime in Garden City, MO
Being accused or investigated for a violent crime in Garden City, 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 Defense Attorney Right Away
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 innocent people can say the wrong thing under pressure. Anything you tell police or investigators can be used against you in court. Politely decline to answer questions and assert your right to remain silent until you’ve spoken to your attorney.. - Step 3: Preserve Key Evidence
Save any text messages, security footage, social media posts, or names of people who can verify your story. These pieces of evidence can be crucial to your defense and should be turned over to your attorney as soon as possible. - Step 4: Don’t Let the Charges Define You
Being accused is not the same as being guilty. Our violent crime attorneys in Garden City, MO will help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and push back against unfair assumptions. We’ll help you focus on your defense—not fear.
What Penalties Can You Face for Violent Crimes in Garden City, MO?
Convictions for violent crimes in Garden City, MO carry consequences that go far beyond jail time. Here’s what’s at stake:
- Years—or even life—in prison, with no guarantee of early release
- Strict, long-term probation with intrusive conditions
- Heavy fines and restitution
- A felony on your record that limits your opportunities for decades
- Loss of fundamental rights, including the right to vote or own firearms
- Difficulty securing employment or housing in the Garden City, MO area
- Irreversible damage to your name, relationships, and future
Even an accusation can follow you for years. That’s why it’s critical to work with a Garden City, MO violent crimes lawyer who understands how to dismantle the prosecution’s case and get to work protecting your future.
Know Your Rights Following a Violent Crime Charge in Garden City, MO
Being accused of a violent crime can feel like the system is stacked against you—but it’s not. You have legal rights, and how you exercise them can shape your future. At Combs Waterkotte, our mission is to protect those rights fiercely and use them to your advantage:
- You Have the Right to Remain Silent — Use it.
- You Deserve the Right Lawyer.
- You Have the Right to a Fair Trial — Demand it.
- You May Qualify for Bail — We Push for It.
- You Have the Right to Challenge Every Piece of 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.
Not all defense lawyers are equal. The moment you’re charged, you need experienced legal representation that knows how to fight back. At Combs Waterkotte, we immediately assess the state’s evidence, investigate independently, and craft a defense strategy that protects your freedom, future, and reputation.
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.
Every piece of the prosecution’s case should be questioned. We dig deep—scrutinizing warrants, forensics, witness credibility, and chain of custody. If it wasn’t collected or handled properly, we fight to have it thrown out.
How Combs Waterkotte Defends Garden City, MO Violent Crime Charges
At Combs Waterkotte, we understand that facing a violent crime charge is overwhelming. That’s why we craft every defense strategy to reflect your unique situation, using our deep knowledge of the law and local courts to protect your rights. When you hire our Garden City, MO violent crime lawyers, here’s how we go to work for you:
- Examining whether law enforcement had probable cause to arrest you
- Identifying violations of your constitutional rights
- Locating key witnesses and collecting evidence that supports your defense
- Negotiating for a reduced charge or dismissal when appropriate
- Building a trial-ready case and defending you aggressively in court
Why People Across Garden City, MO Trust Combs Waterkotte
When you’re charged with a violent crime, there’s no room for error—you need attorneys who know how to win. At Combs Waterkotte, we approach every case with fierce advocacy and a client-first commitment that has earned us trust throughout Garden City, MO and beyond. Our violent crime lawyers bring the following to your defense:
- Strategic trial preparation from day one
- Over five decades of combined legal experience in Garden City and across Missouri
- Familiarity with local judges, prosecutors, and court procedures in the Garden City, MO area
- Proven record of not-guilty decisions, dismissed charges, and reduced sentences
- Former prosecutors who now use their insider knowledge to protect your rights
If you choose a Combs Waterkotte violent crimes lawyer in or around Garden City, MO, you’re not just hiring a top-rated violent crimes lawyer in and around Garden City, MO – you’re safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to experienced violent crimes attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Garden City, MO residents:
- Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
- Order of Protection Defense Lawyers
- DWI/DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyers
Contact Combs Waterkotte to Speak With a Garden City, MO Violent Crimes Lawyer Today
If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation, you don’t have to face this alone. The defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte are ready to listen, advise, and advocate—starting with a free, confidential case review. We’ll help you understand your rights and what steps to take next.
Call us at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a no-obligation case review with an experienced violent crimes lawyer in Garden City, MO today.