Criminal Attorney Columbia, MO
Criminal attorney in Columbia, 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 devoted to aggressively and relentlessly working with the judicial system to get the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in Columbia, MO. We handle all levels of criminal cases from petty offenses to serious felony. 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 mistake, we will fight tenaciously for you and effectively protect your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Columbia, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-risk consultation.
Anytime you’re dealing with the prospect of a criminal charge, the worst-case scenario is having your freedom put at risk. The United States has more inmates per capita than any other country. The best way to avoid incarceration in Columbia, MO is with the help of an experienced and dedicated criminal attorney. We understand that, whatever reason you are in this situation, facing criminal charges is a situation nobody wants to be in. Let us fight for you and get your charges reduced or thrown out and negotiate with a prosecutor and judge or defend you in in front of a jury to avoid a jail or prison sentence. Call a criminal attorney in Columbia, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
What a Criminal Attorney in Columbia, MO Can Do For You
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 Charges From Being Filed
After an arrest, a criminal attorney can talk to a prosecutor or district attorney in Columbia, MO, show them evidence that corroborates your side of the story, and convince them to drop the charges or reduce the severity of the charges.
Defend Your Rights
When Columbia, MO law enforcement believes they have made a legitimate arrest, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a 1969 Supreme Court Decision, a “confession” obtained in deceitful interrogations is still valid. A criminal attorney will be with you every step of the way and make sure that law enforcement does not violate:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
- Your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination
- Your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer
Carry Out an Investigation
A criminal attorney in Columbia, MO will perform a rigorous investigation, often more in-depth than that of police, in an effort to find physical evidence and witnesses that are favorable to your cause. We’ll also examine how the evidence brought against you was obtained, and if any of your rights were violated or if the state’s evidence is unlikely to be enough for a conviction.
Develop a Defense Strategy
Different cases need different defense strategies, depending on the severity of the alleged crimes and the evidence the state is using. In some cases, it may be best to work with the prosecution to obtain a reduction in charges. We may advise making a verbal statement in court asking for a more lenient sentence because of special factors in your life and in the case. In other cases it might be possible to clear your name or, if we proceed to trial, convince a jury that the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt has not been met. 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 morally find you guilty you based on the evidence.
Provide You With Reliable Legal Advice
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be forthright with you about your chances of acquittal or getting the charges reduced. We know everyone wants to be found “not guilty,” or have their charges dismissed. Still, sometimes it may make the most sense for you, your family and your freedom to choose another strategy. 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 Columbia, MO Takes
Your Columbia, MO criminal attorney has experience offering the highest level of legal advocacy in a variety of cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like murder. 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 Columbia, MO, Combs Waterkotte knows that it does not define your character. We understand that our emotions can get the best of us, or that often people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. For empathetic, devoted and tenacious legal representation, call a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Columbia, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?
The option of a free public defender can be attractive, but usually you’ll be best served by enlisting the services of a private Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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 the realities of their job 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 reported that private criminal attorneys on average secure prison sentences five years shorter than public defenders, despite private attorneys generally taking on more serious charges.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Columbia, MO:
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
- Juvenile Defense Lawyer
- Sexual Misconduct Lawyer
- Traffic Ticket Lawyer
- Order of Protection Defense Lawyer
- Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Call a Criminal Attorney in Columbia, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-risk consultation with no criticism, regardless of your level of innocence and the evidence against you. Our clients and their freedom matter to us. You’ll have the cell phone number of the criminal attorney working on your case. Whether you’re innocent of the charges or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll give you the committed, tenacious and passionate legal representation you are entitled to. Call criminal attorney in Columbia, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can get to work on your case today.
