St. Joseph, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney St. Joseph, MO

Criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO. No matter why you’re in this situation, you have privileges that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to aggressively and relentlessly working with the judicial system to secure the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in St. Joseph, MO. We work on all severities of criminal cases from credit card fraud to being charges with the death of another. Whether you’re innocent, you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with or you just did something you now regret, we will fight hard for you and aggressively enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk consultation.

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Anytime you’re facing a criminal charge, the worst-case scenario is having your freedom put in jeopardy. The United States has has two million people in prisons or jails. The best way to retain your freedom in St. Joseph, MO is with the dedicated representation of an experienced and dedicated criminal attorney. We understand that, whatever reason you are in this situation, the prospect of severe sentences and penalties is weighing heavily on you. Let us fight for you and get your charges lowered or thrown out and do everything possible to avoid incarceration. Contact a criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Andrew County Resources

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

How a Criminal Attorney in St. Joseph, 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 you’ve been detained, a criminal attorney can talk to a prosecutor or district attorney in St. Joseph, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and stop the charges from being filed or only bring lesser charges.

Protect Your Rights

When St. Joseph, MO law enforcement believes they’ve apprehended an offender, they have a lot at their disposal to acquire the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, a “confession” obtained in deceitful interrogations is still valid. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and make sure that law enforcement abides by:

Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with probable cause
Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer

Conduct an Investigation

A criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO will perform a thorough investigation, equal to or surpassing that of the prosecution, so that we can find 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 case does not add up.

Develop a Defense Strategy

Depending on the quality and amount of evidence the state has, we’ll work with you to develop the best defense strategy. In some cases, we may advise to accept a plea deal. We may advise making a verbal statement in court asking for a lighter sentence because of mitigating circumstances. Other times it might be possible to clear your name or, if we proceed to trial, persuade a jury that the state has not fulfilled the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Was important evidence contaminated? Is there another legitimate suspect? We’ll explore every option to persuade a jury they cannot morally convict with what was presented in court.

Provide You With Dependable Legal Counsel

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be truthful with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges dismissed. We know everyone wants to be found “not guilty,” or have their charges dismissed. However, sometimes it may make the most sense for you, your family and your freedom to choose another strategy. 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 St. Joseph, MO Takes

Your St. Joseph, MO criminal attorney has experience reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in many different cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like homicide. We have gotten great results for our clients facing the following charges:

Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in St. Joseph, MO, Combs Waterkotte is not here to pass judgment or rebuke you for poor decisions. We understand that nobody’s perfect all the time, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For sympathetic, devoted and expert legal representation, call a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private St. Joseph, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?

The option of a free public defender can be attractive, but the truth is you’ll have a better chance of success by enlisting the services of a private St. Joseph, 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 reported that St. Joseph, MO public defenders have two to three times the workload they should in order to provide an adequate defense. While there are qualified and diligent public defenders, they are human and the realities of their job may prevent them from devoting the best defense possible.

Another study found that prosecutors offer better deals when a private defense attorney is involved in order to avoid a lengthy trial. It also found that private criminal attorneys on average secure prison sentences five years shorter than public defenders, despite private attorneys often taking on more serious cases.

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

Criminal Attorney St. Joseph, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near St. Joseph

Call a Criminal Attorney in St. Joseph, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-risk case evaluation with no criticism, no matter what the nature of your charges. We genuinely care about all of our clients and about getting them the best result. You’ll have the cell phone number of the criminal attorney working on your case. Whether you’re innocent of the charges or did something you regret, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in St. Joseph, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.