Criminal Attorney Washington County, MO
Criminal attorney in Washington County, MO. No matter how you got here, you have rights that are guaranteed by our constitution. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to doing everything possible to secure the most favorable results for all of our Washington County, MO clients. We take on criminal cases ranging from misdemeanor offenses to Class A felonies. Whether you’re innocent, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time or you simply did something you now regret, we will fight hard for you and effectively defend your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Washington County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk consultation.
Anytime you’re facing a criminal charge, the first thing on your mind is losing your freedom and having to spend time in jail or prison. The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration rates. The best way to retain your freedom in Washington County, MO is with the help of a veteran and committed criminal attorney. We understand that, regardless of the circumstances, the prospect of severe sentences and penalties is weighing heavily on you. We’ll work hard to get your charges reduced or thrown out and pursue every option to avoid incarceration. Get in touch with a criminal attorney in Washington County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
Washington County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Washington County and Missouri.
How a Criminal Attorney in Washington County, MO Can Help
Criminal attorneys know the legal 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 skilled criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Washington County, 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.
Protect Your Rights
When Washington County, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they’ll go to great lengths to obtain the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, 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 respects:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
- Your Fifth Amendment right to a fair trial
- Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer
Investigate Your Case
A criminal attorney in Washington County, MO will carry out an exhaustive investigation, equal to or exceeding that of police, in an effort to discover physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to your case. We’ll also examine how the evidence brought against you was obtained, and if there were any procedural errors or if there are holes in the state’s case.
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, it may be best to work with the court to mitigate the sentencing. We may request character references from neighbors and family arguing that you should receive leniency because of mitigating circumstances. In other cases we may be able to clear your name or, if the case goes to trial, convince a jury that there is not enough evidence to convict you beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Was much of evidence contaminated? Is there evidence suggesting someone else is guilty for the crime? We’ll explore every option to persuade a jury they cannot ethically find you guilty you based on the evidence.
Provide You With Honest Legal Counsel
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be straightforward with you about the odds of success for different defense strategies. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. However, sometimes that may be the best decision to make. 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 Washington County, MO Takes
Your Washington County, MO criminal attorney has experience reducing, dismissing, and winning acquittals in a variety of cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like murder. We have gotten great outcomes for our clients facing the following charges:
- Violent Crimes
- Theft/Larceny
- DWI/DUI
- Drug Charges
- Probation Violation
- Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment
- Gun Charges
- Sex Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Traffic Tickets
Whatever the nature of what you’re accused of in Washington County, MO, Combs Waterkotte will remain non-judgmental and give you the representation you have a right to. We understand that situations get out of hand, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For sympathetic, dedicated and aggressive legal representation, call a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Washington 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 Washington 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 stated that Washington County, MO public defenders have two to three times the workload they should in order to come up with a quality defense. While there are qualified and meticulous public defenders, they are human and their high case loads may mean they cannot devote as much time necessary to your case.
Another study found that prosecutors are 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 prison sentences is, on average, five years less with a private attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious cases.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Washington County, 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 Washington County, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a free case evaluation with no judgment, regardless of how serious the allegations are. Our clients and their freedom 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 give you the dedicated, tenacious and passionate legal representation you are entitled to. Call criminal attorney in Washington County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.