Combs Waterkotte is Missouri’s leading domestic violence defense law firm in Missouri and has handled over 10,000 successful criminal defense cases. This legal video covers a commonly asked question regarding “Do I Need a Lawyer If I’m Accused of Domestic Violence?” and how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your domestic violence charge in the state of Missouri.
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Interview Transcript
Scott Michael Dunn: How important is it to hire an attorney when you’re accused of domestic violence?
Chris Combs: As important as any other area of the law.
Domestic violence charges are some of the few you can never get expunged. So it is critical that these are handled properly. Again, they cannot be expunged.
As Steve said, broad discretion by the prosecutor. So you could be looking all the way at an A or B felony down to a misdemeanor.
The connotation, the stigma behind domestic violence and domestic assault, it’s so critical to make every effort to either get the charge amended to something different, and/or a dismissal.
Scott Michael Dunn: And by dismissal, it’s dropping the charges, right?
Steve Waterkotte: Correct.
The prosecutor only has that ability to do that. Nobody else. [The] judge can’t. I should add a limited circumstance after a preliminary hearing or something to that effect.
But by and large, the prosecutor holds that card and only they can file dismissal of the charges.
If you need Missouri’s leading domestic violence defense lawyers to defend your rights and freedom, speak to a criminal defense attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case review.
