Violent crimes lawyer in Greenwood, MO. When you’re accused of a violent crime anywhere in the Greenwood, MO area, everything is at stake—your freedom, your career, and your family’s future. These cases move fast and hit hard in Greenwood, MO, often carrying mandatory prison time and permanent stigma. You need an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Greenwood, MO who knows how to push back from day one with a smart, strategic defense.
The Greenwood, 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.
Contact our violent crimes legal team in Greenwood, MO now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
Article Summary
Violent crime charges in Greenwood, MO can derail life, but they don’t have to. At Combs Waterkotte, we fight hard for clients accused of the most serious offenses, including assault, murder, and robbery. This page explains how we build customized defenses, challenge flawed prosecutions, and help clients in and around Greenwood, MO take back control of their future. Our firm is battle-tested, client-focused, and ready to defend your innocence from day.
You and your rights deserve protection. Get a proven defense team in your corner today.

How Violent Crimes are Defined and Charged in Greenwood, MO
Violent crimes in Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, MO.
Some of the most commonly charged Greenwood, MO violent crimes 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 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: Covers a wide range of harmful behaviors against minors. Charges can escalate to felonies depending on severity and prior history.
- Armed Robbery: Taking someone’s property using a weapon or threat of one. Often charged as aggravated robbery, this is a felony with serious penalties.
- Vehicular Manslaughter: Occurs when someone causes a death through reckless or negligent driving, such as driving under the influence or violating traffic laws.
What to Do If You’re Accused of Violent Crimes in Greenwood, MO
Whether you’ve been arrested for a violent crime in Greenwood, MO or are under investigation, your next steps are critical. Here’s what the violent crimes defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte recommend:
- Step 1: Get a Greenwood, MO Violent Crimes Defense Attorney on Your Side 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 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: Understand That You Are Not Alone
The legal system presumes you are innocent until proven guilty. While public opinion may feel harsh or isolating, our Greenwood, MO violent crime lawyers are here to defend your rights, preserve your future, and provide a clear path forward.
What Penalties Can You Face for Violent Crimes in Greenwood, MO?
Violent crime convictions in Greenwood, MO often come with life-changing legal and personal consequences. In addition to incarceration, you may face:
- Years—or even life—in prison, with no guarantee of early release
- Strict, long-term probation with intrusive conditions
- Significant fines, restitution to victims, and court fees
- A permanent felony record
- The loss of civil liberties like voting and owning firearms
- Challenges getting a job, keeping a professional license, or finding a place to live in the Greenwood, MO area
- Irreversible damage to your name, relationships, and future
You can’t afford to face these charges alone. The right Greenwood, MO violent crime lawyer can push back against the prosecution, challenge unlawful evidence, and fight for your freedom and your future.
Know Your Rights Following a Violent Crime Charge in Greenwood, 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 Have the Right to an Attorney — Make it Count.
- You Have the Right to a Fair Trial — Demand it.
- You May Qualify for Bail — We Fight to Get You Home.
- 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.
You deserve more than a public defender with a heavy caseload. Our experienced violent crime attorneys in Greenwood, 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.
Pretrial incarceration is not automatic. We advocate for your release through reduced bail or personal recognizance, allowing you to return to your family, work, and life while we build your case.
Every violent crime case in Greenwood, MO and beyond involves evidence, and we don’t take it at face value. We examine every detail for unlawful searches, false statements, lab errors, and broken procedures. If the state didn’t do its job by the book, we’ll make sure the court knows it.
How Combs Waterkotte Defends Greenwood, MO Violent Crime Charges
No two violent crime cases are alike—and neither are our defense strategies. At Combs Waterkotte, our Greenwood, 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
- Locating witnesses and gathering evidence to support your version of events
- Negotiating with prosecutors to seek a charge reduction, diversion, or dismissal
- Preparing to go to trial with a clear, assertive defense strategy
Why People Across Greenwood, MO Trust Combs Waterkotte
Your defense shouldn’t rely on guesswork. At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve built our reputation in Greenwood, MO by fighting aggressively, communicating clearly, and always putting our clients first. If you’re facing serious charges, our violent crimes attorneys in Greenwood, MO offer the legal firepower and focus your case deserves, including:
- Strategic trial preparation from day one
- 50+ years of combined experience in Greenwood and Missouri criminal law
- Deep familiarity with local Greenwood, MO court systems and legal processes
- 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 hire a Combs Waterkotte violent crimes lawyer in or around Greenwood, MO, you’re not just choosing a top-rated violent crimes lawyer in and around Greenwood, MO – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with knowledgeable violent crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Greenwood, MO residents:
- Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
- Order of Protection Defense Lawyers
- DWI/DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyers
Talk to a Greenwood, MO Violent Crimes Attorney Now
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 connect with us online to speak with a violent crimes lawyer in Greenwood, MO today.