Criminal Attorney Clayton, MO
Criminal attorney in Clayton, MO. No matter the nature of the charges brought against you, you have the same privileges as everyone else in the United States. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to pursuing every legal option to get the best possible results for all of our Clayton, MO clients. We work on criminal cases ranging 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 simply made a mistake, we will fight hard for you and effectively enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Clayton, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
Anytime you’re dealing with the prospect of a criminal charge, your number one fear is losing your freedom and having to spend time in jail or prison. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to stay out of jail or prison in Clayton, MO is with the aid of a veteran and passionate criminal attorney. We understand that, regardless of the circumstances, you are likely anxious about how these charges may alter your life. Let us use our knowledge and abilities to get your charges reduced or thrown out and do everything possible to avoid a jail or prison sentence. Contact a criminal attorney in Clayton, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
How a Criminal Attorney in Clayton, 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 Charges From Being Filed
After you’ve been detained, a criminal attorney can talk to a prosecutor or district attorney in Clayton, MO, show them evidence that corroborates your side of the story, and persuade them to drop the charges or charge you with a less serious crime.
Defend Your Rights
When Clayton, MO law enforcement believes they’ve apprehended an offender, there are many things they can do to acquire the evidence needed to bring formal charges. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, police are even permitted to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will let you know what to say and what not to say and ensure law enforcement does not infringe on:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against searches with probable cause
- Your Fifth Amendment right to due process
- Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation
Investigate Your Case
A criminal attorney in Clayton, MO will carry out an aggressive and methodical investigation, equal to or eclipsing that of the detectives and prostitution, so that we can find physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to you. We’ll also be critical of the state’s investigation, and see if there were any procedural errors 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, different defense strategies might be applied. In some cases, we may advise to work with the court to mitigate the sentencing. We may request leniency because of special factors in your life and in the case. Other times we may be able to prove you did not committed the crime or, if we proceed to trial, persuade a jury that there is not enough evidence to convict you beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Is the evidence contaminated? Is there another legitimate suspect? We’ll do everything possible to persuade a jury they cannot ethically return a guilty verdict you based on the evidence.
Give You Honest Legal Advice
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be truthful with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges dismissed. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. However, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. No matter what, the choice of how to approach your defense is in your hands.
Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Clayton, MO Takes
Your Clayton, MO criminal attorney has experience offering the highest level of legal advocacy in many different cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like homicide. Some of the charges we see most often are:
- Violent Crimes
- Theft/Larceny
- DWI/DUI
- Drug Charges
- Probation Violation
- Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment
- Gun Charges
- Sex Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Traffic Tickets
Whatever charges you’re facing in Clayton, 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 we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For sympathetic, dedicated and skilled legal representation, get in touch with a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Clayton, 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 hiring a private Clayton, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, a public defender may not be able to devote as much time to you case as necessary. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System found that Clayton, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to come up with an adequate defense. While there are excellent criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and the amount of work they have to do may keep them from devoting the best defense possible.
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 private criminal attorneys on average secure prison sentences five years shorter than public defenders, despite private attorneys often taking on more serious charges.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Clayton, MO:
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- DWI Attorney
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Call a Criminal Attorney in Clayton, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation case evaluation that’s free of any disapproval, regardless of your level of innocence and the evidence against you. Our clients and their rights matter to us. You’ll always speak directly to the attorney handling your case — not a paralegal. Whether you didn’t do what you were accused of or did something you regret, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Clayton, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.