Violent crimes lawyer in Smithville, MO. If you’re facing violent crime charges in Smithville, MO, your future is on the line. These cases are prosecuted aggressively, with the state seeking the maximum penalties, and the consequences can be life-altering—prison time, a permanent criminal record, loss of rights, and lasting social stigma. You need a skilled Smithville, MO criminal defense lawyer who has the experience, resources, and courtroom expertise to protect your rights and fight back.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Smithville, MO violent crimes lawyer represents individuals like you charged with offenses ranging from domestic violence and assault to armed robbery and murder. With over 50 years of combined experience and a track record of results, we know how to build a winning defense in even the toughest cases in Smithville, MO and beyond.
Contact our violent crimes legal team in Smithville, MO now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
Article Summary
Violent crime charges in Smithville, 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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO
Under Missouri law, a violent crime is typically one where force or the threat of force is used against another individual. These offenses may involve direct harm, such as assault or murder, or the use of violence to facilitate another crime, like kidnapping or robbery.
Violent crimes in Smithville, MO may include:
- Assault & Battery: Assault is the attempt or threat to cause harm, while battery involves actual unwanted or harmful contact. Missouri law classifies these offenses in varying degrees, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Notably, Missouri does not separate battery from assault as some other states do.
- 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 unlawful killing of another individual with premeditation or intent. Murder in the second degree is a Class A felony, while murder in the first is also a Class A felony punishable by either life imprisonment or death.
- 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: Covers a wide range of harmful behaviors against minors. Charges can escalate to felonies depending on severity and prior history.
- 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: Charged when a person causes a fatal accident due to reckless behavior, such as DWI or violating serious traffic laws.
What You Should Do After Being Accused of a Violent Crime in Smithville, MO
Whether you’ve been arrested for a violent crime in Smithville, MO or are under investigation, your next steps are critical. Here’s what the violent crimes defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte recommend:
- Step 1: Call a Combs Waterkotte Lawyer 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 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: 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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO?
Violent crime convictions in Smithville, 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 probation terms that limit your freedom and mobility
- Significant fines, restitution to victims, and court fees
- A lasting felony record that shows up on every background check
- Loss of fundamental rights, including the right to vote or own firearms
- Barriers to employment, professional licensing, or rental housing in the Smithville, MO area
- Irreversible damage to your name, relationships, and future
You can’t afford to face these charges alone. The right Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO
Being charged with a violent crime in Smithville, 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 Be Heard in 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 under no obligation to explain yourself to law enforcement, and you shouldn’t. By staying silent and refusing to answer questions without an attorney, you stop the prosecution from gaining early leverage and protect your case from preventable damage.
You deserve more than a public defender with a heavy caseload. Our experienced violent crime attorneys in Smithville, 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.
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 Defends Smithville, MO Violent Crime Charges
Every case is different, and every defense strategy should be too. The Combs Waterkotte Smithville, MO violent crimes lawyers thoroughly investigate the evidence, challenge procedural missteps, and develop a strategic defense that fits the facts of your situation. Our approach might include:
- Challenging the legality of your arrest, including lack of probable cause
- Uncovering any violations of your rights, such as improper searches or interrogation
- Interviewing witnesses and uncovering favorable evidence that supports your version of events
- Working with prosecutors when appropriate to pursue plea deals that minimize penalties
- Building a trial-ready case and defending you aggressively in court
Why Smithville, MO Residents Choose Combs Waterkotte
Your defense shouldn’t rely on guesswork. At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve built our reputation in Smithville, MO by fighting aggressively, communicating clearly, and always putting our clients first. If you’re facing serious charges, our violent crimes attorneys in Smithville, MO offer the legal firepower and focus your case deserves, including:
- Trial-tested strategies built from day one
- Over five decades of combined legal experience in Smithville and across Missouri
- Deep familiarity with local Smithville, MO court systems and legal processes
- A track record of wins: dismissals, acquittals, and not-guilty decisions
- Former prosecutors who know how the state builds cases
If you choose a Combs Waterkotte Smithville, MO violent crimes lawyer, you aren’t just choosing the ideal violent crimes lawyer in Smithville, MO and beyond – 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 residents in Smithville and beyond:
- Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
- Weapons Crime Attorney
- Order of Protection Defense Lawyers
- DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
- DWI/DUI Lawyer
- Violent Crime Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyers
Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Smithville, MO Violent Crimes Lawyer
Every minute counts when you’re facing violent crime charges. The earlier you get legal representation, the more options you may have. At Combs Waterkotte, we act fast to protect your rights, challenge the state’s evidence, and start crafting your defense—before charges escalate.
Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to speak with a violent crimes lawyer in Smithville, MO today.
