Benton, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Benton, MO

Criminal attorney in Benton, MO. No matter how you got here, you have rights that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is devoted to pursuing every legal option to get the best possible results for those in need of criminal defense in Benton, MO. We handle all severities of criminal cases from credit card fraud to serious felony. Whether you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with or you simply did something you now regret, we will fight tenaciously for you and passionately protect your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Benton, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation case review.

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If you’ve been charged with a a felony or misdemeanor, your number one fear is having your freedom put in jeopardy. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to avoid incarceration in Benton, MO is with the aid of a veteran and aggressive criminal attorney. We understand that, whatever reason you are in this situation, the prospect of severe sentences and penalties is weighing heavily on you. We’ll work hard to get your charges lowered or dismissed and pursue every option to avoid incarceration. Get in touch with a criminal attorney in Benton, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Scott County Resources

Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Scott County and Missouri.

How a Criminal Attorney in Benton, MO Can Help

There are reasons everyone has a right to effective legal representation, and there are various ways a criminal attorney can help your case:

Delay or Stop Formal Charges

After an arrest, a skilled criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Benton, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and stop the charges from being filed or only bring lesser charges.

Enforce Your Rights

When Benton, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, there are many things they can do to obtain the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, evidence obtained in deceitful interrogations is still valid. A criminal attorney will be with you every step of the way and verify law enforcement abides by:

Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
Your Fifth Amendment right to due process
Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation

Investigate Your Case

A criminal attorney in Benton, MO will perform a rigorous investigation, often more detailed than that of the prosecution, in an effort to discover physical evidence and witnesses that will help get your charges reduced, dismissed, or help secure a not guilty verdict. We’ll also examine the state’s investigation, and see if any of your rights were violated or if the state’s evidence is unlikely to be sufficient for a conviction.

Develop a Defense Strategy

Depending on the quality and amount of evidence against you, we’ll work with you to develop the best defense strategy. In some cases, we may recommend to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. We may request character references from neighbors and family arguing that you should receive a lighter sentence because of mitigating circumstances. In other cases it might be possible to present evidence demonstrating your innocence or, if we proceed to trial, convince a jury that there is not enough evidence to convict you beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Was much of evidence contaminated? Is there somebody else that may have committed the crime? We’ll explore every option to persuade a jury they cannot morally return a guilty verdict with what was presented in court.

Give You Trustworthy Legal Advice

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be direct with you about the potential outcomes of your case and the best-case scenario given the evidence and charges against you. We know everyone wants to be found “not guilty,” or have their charges dismissed. Still, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. No matter what, we will recommend what we think is best for you and let you make the final decision.

Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Benton, MO Takes

Your Benton, MO criminal attorney has experience reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in a variety of cases, from traffic violations to Class A felonies like murder. Some of the cases we see most often are:

Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in Benton, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that our emotions can get the best of us, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For sympathetic, dedicated and tenacious legal representation, call a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Benton, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?

It can be tempting to use a public defender at no cost, but the truth is you’ll have a better chance of success by enlisting the services of a private Benton, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, public defenders often have enormous case loads. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System stated that Benton, MO public defenders largely do not have enough time to come up with an adequate defense. While there are great public defenders, they are human and their high case loads may mean they cannot devote as much time necessary to your case.

Another study found that the state is more likely to offer a favorable deal to a defendant with a private criminal attorney than one who has a public defender. It also found that prison sentences is, on average, five years less with a private attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious charges.

Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Benton, MO:

Criminal Attorney Benton, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Benton

Call a Criminal Attorney in Benton, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a free consultation that’s free of any disapproval, no matter what your level of innocence and the evidence against you. Our clients and their rights matter to us. You’ll always have access to communication directly with the attorney assigned to your case. Whether you didn’t do what you were accused of or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll give you the committed, relentless and passionate legal representation you are entitled to. Call criminal attorney in Benton, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.