Lafayette County, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Lafayette County, MO

Criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO. Regardless of 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 secure the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in Lafayette County, MO. We handle all levels of criminal cases from credit card fraud to murder and homicide charges. Whether you’re innocent, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time or you simply made a poor decision, we will fight persistently for you and effectively defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

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If you’ve been charged with a a felony or misdemeanor, the first thing on your mind is having your freedom put in jeopardy. The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration rates. The best way to stay out of jail or prison in Lafayette County, MO is with the help of a knowledgeable and passionate criminal attorney. We know that, however you got here, the prospect of severe sentences and penalties is weighing heavily on you. Let us fight for you and get your charges reduced or dismissed and do everything possible to avoid incarceration. Call a criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Lafayette County Resources

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

How a Criminal Attorney in Lafayette County, 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 knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Lafayette County, MO, explain how their evidence is lacking, and convince them to drop the charges or charge you with a less serious crime.

Enforce Your Rights

When Lafayette County, MO law enforcement believes someone committed a crime, they’ll go to great lengths to obtain the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, police are even allowed to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will let you know what to say and what not to say and verify law enforcement respects:

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

Investigate Your Case

A criminal attorney in Lafayette County, MO will conduct an aggressive and methodical investigation, often more in-depth than that of the detectives and prostitution, so that we can discover physical evidence and witnesses that are beneficial to your cause. We’ll also be critical of 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, different defense strategies might be applied. In some cases, we may recommend to work with the court to make the sentencing less severe. We may request a lighter sentence because of mitigating circumstances. Other times we may be able to present evidence demonstrating your innocence or, if the case goes to trial, convince a jury that the state has not fulfilled the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt. Did you have a reliable alibi? Was key evidence contaminated? Is there somebody else that may have committed the crime? We’ll explore every option to persuade a jury they cannot ethically return a guilty verdict you based on the evidence.

Give You Trustworthy Legal Counsel

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be sincere with you about the likely 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. However, sometimes it may make the most sense for you, your family and your freedom to choose another strategy. No matter what, we’ll be by your side and defend you how based on the decision you make for yourself.

Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Lafayette County, MO Takes

Your Lafayette County, MO criminal attorney has experience defending our clients’ rights in many different cases, from Class D misdemeanors to Class A felonies like murder. We have gotten great outcomes for our clients facing the following charges:

Whatever charges you’re facing in Lafayette County, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that situations get out of hand, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For sympathetic, devoted and aggressive legal representation, call a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Lafayette County, 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 hiring a private Lafayette County, 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 found that Lafayette County, MO public defenders have two to three times the workload they should in order to come up with an adequate defense. While there are qualified and meticulous public defenders, they are human and their high case loads may mean they cannot devote 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 prison sentences is, on average, five years less with a private attorney, despite private attorneys generally taking on more serious cases.

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

Criminal Attorney Lafayette County, MO | Criminal Justice | Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Lafayette County

Call a Criminal Attorney in Lafayette County, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation case review with no judgment, regardless of how serious the allegations are. We genuinely care about all of our clients and about getting them the best result. 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 Lafayette County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.