Violent crimes lawyer in Weston, MO. When you’re accused of a violent crime anywhere in the Weston, MO area, everything is at stake—your freedom, your career, and your family’s future. These cases move fast and hit hard in Weston, MO, often carrying mandatory prison time and permanent stigma. You need an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Weston, MO who knows how to push back from day one with a smart, strategic defense.
Our Weston, 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 Weston, MO area.
Call our Weston, MO defense team right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
Article Summary
If you’re under investigation or have been charged with a violent crime in Weston, 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 Weston, MO and beyond.
Don’t wait. Get immediate, experienced help—your defense starts here.
What Crimes Are Legally Defined as Violent in Weston, 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 Weston, 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 intentional or premeditated killing of another person. Both first and second-degree murder are Class A felonies, punishable by long prison sentences or even the death penalty.
- 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: 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: Results from reckless driving or impaired driving that leads to someone’s death. Often charged alongside DWI or reckless driving offenses.
Accused of a Violent Crime in Weston, MO? Here’s What to Do Next
Being accused or investigated for a violent crime in Weston, 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: Contact a Combs Waterkotte Defense Attorney Immediately
Early legal help gives you the best chance to shape your defense. Our attorneys can intervene before formal charges are filed, review police procedures, and start developing a strong case. We’re available 24/7—call (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online now. - 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: Secure Evidence and Witnesses
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 Weston, MO violent crime lawyers are here to defend your rights, preserve your future, and provide a clear path forward.
What are the Consequences of a Violent Crime Conviction in Weston, MO?
Being found guilty of a violent crime in Weston, 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
- Hefty fines and mandatory restitution to alleged victims
- A permanent felony record
- Loss of voting and firearm rights
- Challenges getting a job, keeping a professional license, or finding a place to live in the Weston, MO area
- Stigma that damages your reputation with friends, family, and your community
And remember, even if you aren’t convicted, simply being charged with a violent crime can leave a lasting stain on your reputation. That’s why working with a seasoned Weston, MO violent crimes attorney is crucial from day one.
Know Your Rights Following a Violent Crime Charge in Weston, 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 Push for It.
- You Have the Right to Challenge Every Piece of 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 Weston, 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 Weston, 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.
Our Approach to Defending Violent Crime Charges in Weston, MO
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 Weston, MO violent crime lawyers, here’s how we go to work for you:
- Reviewing whether your arrest was made lawfully and if there was valid probable cause
- Identifying constitutional violations, such as unlawful searches or coerced statements
- 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 Weston, MO Trust Combs Waterkotte
When your life and freedom are on the line, experience matters. We bring a relentless, client-first mentality to every case we take on—and we don’t stop until every legal option has been explored. Here’s more about what our violent crimes lawyers in Weston, MO bring to your defense:
- Strategic trial preparation from day one
- 50+ years of combined experience in Weston and Missouri criminal law
- Familiarity with local judges, prosecutors, and court procedures in the Weston, 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
When you hire a Combs Waterkotte Weston, MO violent crimes lawyer, you aren’t just selecting a top-rated violent crimes lawyer in Weston, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to experienced violent crimes lawyers, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Weston, MO residents:
- Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
- Order of Protection Defense Lawyers
- DWI/DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyers
Talk to a Weston, MO Violent Crimes Attorney Now
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 for a free, one-on-one case review with a trusted violent crimes lawyer in Weston, MO today.
