Shelby County, MO

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Criminal Attorney Shelby County, MO

Criminal attorney in Shelby County, MO. Regardless of how you got here, you have privileges that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to doing everything possible to get the best possible results for all of our Shelby County, MO clients. We work on criminal cases ranging from credit card fraud to murder and homicide charges. 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 just made a poor decision, we will fight persistently for you and effectively defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Shelby County, 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 first thing on your mind is losing your freedom and being incarcerated. The United States has has two million inmates. The best way to retain your freedom in Shelby County, MO is with the help of a knowledgeable and compassionate criminal attorney. We know that, however you got here, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. Let us use our knowledge and skills to get your charges lowered or dismissed and pursue every option to avoid a jail or prison sentence. Get in touch with a criminal attorney in Shelby County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.

Shelby County Resources

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

How a Criminal Attorney in Shelby County, MO Can Help

Criminal attorneys know the criminal defense system, the laws that guide them, how to talk to a prosecutor and how to defend you in front of a jury. Some of what we can help with are:

Delay or Stop Formal Charges

After an arrest, a criminal attorney can talk to a prosecutor or district attorney in Shelby County, MO, show them evidence that corroborates your side of the story, and stop the charges from being filed or charge you with a less serious crime.

Protect Your Rights

When Shelby County, MO law enforcement believes someone committed a crime, there are many things they can do to acquire the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, police are even allowed to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and make sure that law enforcement does not breach:

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

Carry Out an Investigation

A criminal attorney in Shelby County, MO will perform a thorough investigation, often more detailed than that of police, in an effort to uncover physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to your cause. 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

Different cases are best defended in different ways, depending on the severity of the charges and the evidence the state is in possession of. In some cases, we may recommend to accept a plea deal. We may be able to ask the judge for 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, persuade a jury that the standard beyond a reasonable doubt has not been met. Are witnesses unreliable? 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 morally find you guilty you based on the evidence.

Provide You With Reliable Legal Advice

A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be straightforward 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. 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 Shelby County, MO Takes

Your Shelby County, MO criminal attorney has experience reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in many different cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like murder. Some of the cases we see most often are:

Whatever charges you’re facing in Shelby County, MO, Combs Waterkotte will be compassionate and give you the representation you have a right to. We understand that situations get out of hand, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For sympathetic, devoted and skilled legal representation, call a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP.

Public Defender or a Private Shelby County, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?

It can be tempting to use a public defender at no cost, but usually you’ll be best served by hiring a private Shelby County, 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 reported that Shelby County, MO public defenders largely do not have enough time to provide a quality defense. While there are great criminal attorneys in the public defense system, they are human and the realities of their job may mean they cannot devote as much time necessary to your case.

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 the average prison term is five years shorter with a private criminal attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious cases.

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

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

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

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation case evaluation with no disapproval, no matter what how serious the allegations are. We sincerely care about all of our clients and about getting them the best result. You’ll always speak directly to the attorney handling your case — not a paralegal. Whether you did nothing wrong or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Shelby County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.