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Looking to hire the “best criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis”?

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Introduction

If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime the first thing you do is consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer.  If you can afford it, it’s probably a good decision to hire a criminal defense lawyer. But if you have to go with the public defender option just know that you’re taking a chance and although it seems like the least costly option, it can cost you big time in the long run.  Check out this recent article “Why hiring a public defender is a bad idea (most of the time)” to learn more. However, for those who understand the value of hiring a private attorney, the process of choosing your attorney can be a difficult one. Most people want to hire the “best” criminal lawyer” they can find at a reasonable cost. But what constitutes the “best” when it comes to criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis? Let’s take a look at the factors that come into play when evaluating the best lawyer for your particular legal problem.

Experience, Knowledge, & Creativity

Like most professions, criminal defense lawyers get better over the course of their careers.  A criminal defense lawyer who has just graduated law school is probably not going to be your best choice if you’re facing a murder charge. But at the same time, you probably don’t want to hire a criminal lawyer who is in the last few years of his career.  Ideally, you want a young, energetic, but experienced lawyer. 

Criminal defense law is a mixture of knowing the law and knowing how to apply the law under specific circumstances.  The good St. Louis lawyers have a wealth of knowledge about the law and HOW to apply it, while the best lawyers in St. Louis know all the loopholes in the law and know WHEN to apply them.  The law itself is something that is always up for new interpretations, and the best criminal lawyers in St. Louis can create new interpretations that are beneficial to their cases.  

A good question to ask any criminal defense lawyer during the interview phase is whether they think there are any loopholes within the law that would be relevant in your case.  This could be a process loophole where the police forget to calibrate the breathalyzer in a DWI case, or it could simply be an illegal search and seizure in a drug possession case.  Either way, the best lawyers will find these loopholes and take full advantage of them under the law.

Character, Attitude, & Personality

You have to be a particular type of person to want to practice criminal defense law.  It’s not something that every lawyer who comes of law school is equipped to do. If you have ever watched “Better Call Saul” you might think that all criminal defense lawyers are a little shady, and there is probably some truth to that in some areas of criminal defense law.  However, most if not all criminal defense lawyers are big defenders of “due process” and the right to a fair trial. That’s what makes our judicial system unique and criminal defense lawyers have a critical part to play in our system. The best criminal defense lawyers are the ones that get into criminal defense law for this reason.  They want to defend the defenseless, and although it’s not easy defending someone who committed a terrible crime, under our judicial system, someone has to step up and do it.  

But that’s not all you should look for when evaluating your “best” criminal defense lawyer.  You want to find someone who is confident with themselves but doesn’t have a major ego. This can be tough to find in the criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis.  You want a lawyer who is assertive, and not aggressive. Aggressive lawyers tend to shoot themselves in the foot with their clients, the jury, and with the prosecuting attorney.  An assertive attorney knows what he wants and knows how to communicate that to either the prosecutor or the jury he is trying to sway. The “best” attorneys are usually likable and positive in a natural way, and that can be their most effective tool when defending your case.

Winning Is Important 

Most criminal defense attorneys want to win every case, but that’s just not going to happen.  Over time they will win some and they lose some. After an attorney has been in his profession for a while he can become indifferent about the win or the loss in a case. However, the best attorneys are always wanting to win.  They have that competitive mentality and they don’t necessarily want to win for you, but winning is important overall. The best lawyers have this mentality and they will go the extra mile on your case because they want to win, not because you paid them an extra $10,000 or because they like you.  

When looking for a lawyer, evaluate his or her previous client reviews or testimonials.  The best lawyers have the best reputations. So try to find a lawyer who is still trying to be the “best” or maintain his reputation as the “best” and he will likely go that extra mile to get you the “best” outcomes in your case.

Building Personal Relationships With Clients

The last factor that you should look for when evaluating your “best” criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis is how much personal attention the lawyer gives to you as a client.  Choosing a criminal lawyer is an important decision if you’re facing some serious crimes. You’re putting your future and in some cases your freedom in the hands of another individual.  Invariably, you are trusting your lawyer with a lot, and you want to be able to be completely honest with him or her. This is not like hiring a mechanic to fix your car. You want to be able to create a quasi business-personal relationship with your criminal defense lawyer.  The best lawyers know how to bond with their clients while maintaining their moral and ethical codes. Defending yourself in a criminal case can become an emotional ordeal, so having a lawyer who can be attentive to your emotional needs will be important. The best criminal defense lawyers will help you as you go on the emotional roller coaster during your case.

Conclusion

If you do a Google search for  “Best Criminal Defense Lawyers In St. Louis” you will find all these websites that list the “Top 10 Best Criminal Lawyers In St. Louis” or the “Top 5 Criminal Lawyers In St. Louis”.  Unfortunately, these ranking sites don’t really know if those lawyers are the “best” criminal lawyers for your needs. Only you can decide who is the “best” lawyer for your particular needs.  At Combs Law Group we like to think that we are the “best”, but so does every other St. Louis criminal law firm. What we do know for sure is that if you value character, attitude, and personality, and you want a lawyer who values winning while providing you close personal attention, we are the law firm for you. We urge you to read through our long list of reviews from previous clients to see what makes us stand apart from other law firms in the St. Louis area.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Combs Law Group Named Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in St. Louis by Expertise.com

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Looking for the best criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis? Our clients’ results speak for themselves, but now you don’t just have to listen to us and our past clients – Combs Law Group were named as one of the 20 Best St. Louis Criminal Defense Lawyers by Expertise.com.

Why Listen to Expertise.com? 

Expertise.com is all about making it as easy as possible to find the best experts in your local area and understands the huge time-suck that researching the best experts in your area can be. To help make the process faster and easier, they are running local experts all over the US in a variety of industries through their selection process. 

How Do Expertise.com Make Their Selection? 

Once they have identified a location and an industry, they start using their own tools and resources to analyze the same information and data you can find online. Once they have a list of possible professionals, they verify license and contact information and ensure that the businesses they have listed for selection are in good standing in the community. 

Next, they run each business through their in-house selection software that grades each business according to five factors. These five factors are: 

  • Professionalism – selected businesses must be dedicated to providing a quality service 
  • Experience – selected businesses must have been in the industry and area for a good length of time, and have the right education 
  • Engagement – businesses must be accessible and easy to contact 
  • Credibility – businesses must be established in the community 
  • Reputation – selected businesses must be well known in the area for great results and have a history of vocal, happy customers. 

The businesses that make it through this process and meet Expertise.com’s expectations are then examined and the best are hand-picked to be recommended by them. When they looked for the best criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis, they compared 92 potential businesses and we were picked as one of their 20 best criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis [link: www.expertise.com/mo/st-louis/criminal-attorney#CombsLawGroup], which they list in alphabetical order. 

Why Did Expertise.com Choose Us? 

If you’re in need of a great criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis but have only just started your research, this may be your first time hearing of us. We are a top criminal defense firm based here in St. Louis and work with our clients every day to secure the most positive outcomes for their cases. 

We work with clients from all walks of life, from other professionals to juveniles, immigrants, college professors, businesses, non-profits, and anyone else who is in need of a strong defense to their criminal charges. We wholeheartedly believe that everyone has a right to aggressive and expert defense, and fight tirelessly for every client.  

We are a full-service criminal defense law firm with strong roots in the community and a strong history of extremely happy clients. We are available to contact on the phone, through our online chat, or through our online form – we get back to all inquiries within two hours. Our successful list of cases and extremely happy customers combined with our strong reputation helped us show up centrally on Expertise.com’s radar. 

How Do We Work? 

We aim to reply to every inquiry in under two hours and offer every new client a free consultation to answer any and all questions you have and check we are a good fit. Once you’ve chosen us for your defense, we’ll get to work and be available whenever you need us throughout the weeks or months that it takes for your case to settle. 

We will always aim to get you the very best outcome; many of our clients’ cases are dismissed or resolved outside of the criminal justice system altogether, but should your case go to trial, we will be there in your corner to fight the charges. 

Who is Christopher Combs?

Christopher Combs is the Principle Attorney here and provides his expertise in all areas of criminal law. Born and bred here in St. Louis, he has built up a strong reputation for being a talented and formidable criminal defense attorney in the local community. Christopher knows how to fiercely defend his clients every step of the way, but is still incredibly personable, compassionate, and easy to talk to. Learn more about Christopher here.

Our Results 

We are proud to have a long list of successful cases and satisfied past clients. We’re always happy to share the success of our cases, some of which include 2nd Degree Murder (which after an extensive review of the evidence was reduced and our client did not have to go back to jail), Felony Possession of a Firearm (reduced to probation), Felony Hit and Run (we avoided felony conviction and jail time), as well as many DWI and drug charges. (Read more about our successful case results here.)

Don’t just take our word for it – see our 70 positive Google reviews from happy clients who have not only used our services and been extremely pleased with the outcome (many having the charges dismissed), but have happily recommended our services to their friends and family.  

Need Us? We’re Here 

If you’re in need of one of the best criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis, we’re here. Whether you have a traffic ticket you’d like to disappear, a personal injury claim, or a felony charge, we’re here for you. We aim to get back to all inquiries in just two hours, and it won’t be long before you have the very best on your side. We offer free consultations at our two office locations and cover most cities and municipalities in the St. Louis Metro area.

To book your free consultation, click here.

Top 10 Qualifications For A Criminal Defense Lawyer

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Introduction

If you’ve been arrested you need the very best criminal defense lawyer for your case to ensure you get the best outcome. It’s tempting to rush into working with whichever lawyer is available and willing to take on your case, so you can feel at ease knowing someone is working to protect you. 

However, if you want to get the experienced counsel you’re looking for you should take the time to be selective and ensure you get a criminal defense lawyer you are comfortable with so you can get the very best outcome. 

Here are 10 tips to help you choose the best lawyer for you and your case: 

1.) Choose a Local Lawyer

If you’ve been arrested you need the very best criminal defense lawyer for your case to ensure you get the best outcome. It’s tempting to rush into working with whichever lawyer is available and willing to take on your case, so you can feel at ease knowing someone is working to protect you. 

However, if you want to get the experienced counsel you’re looking for you should take the time to be selective and ensure you get a criminal defense lawyer you are comfortable with so you can get the very best outcome. 

Here are 10 tips to help you choose the best lawyer for you and your case: 

Chris Combs and the Combs Law Group have an outstanding reputation in the St. Louis legal community and Chris has worked hundreds of criminal defense cases all across the St. Louis area. He was born and bred in St. Louis and has built his many relationships on his personable and professional manner, so is in the perfect position for taking on St. Louis criminal defense cases. 

The lawyer you choose must be licensed to practice in the state you’re being prosecuted in to represent you, but beyond the legalities, local lawyers have established relationships in the local criminal justice system. 

2.) Look for Experience and Specialization 

Many lawyers specialize in certain areas of criminal defense or have a lot of experience with cases just like yours. Wouldn’t you rather have an experienced lawyer than one who has never seen a case like yours? Of course, you would! So don’t just work with the first lawyer you find, look for a lawyer who can show you successful past cases in the area you are looking for. 

Experienced lawyers will be able to anticipate what questions are likely to come up in the courtroom and any moves the persecutors may make against you. They will also have an in-depth knowledge of the state’s criminal statutes and will help you with a well thought out strategy. 

At Combs Law Group, we have an impressive track record of successful cases and have built up a great reputation in the St. Louis Metro area and have extensive knowledge of Missouri criminal statutes. Any lawyer you consider should be able to say the same. 

3.) Meet with Them In-Person

You will feel most comfortable with a criminal defense lawyer who you click with. While you don’t necessarily need to feel like you’d like to head to the bar for a drink with them, being able to feel comfortable with them and knowing that you understand each other easily will make your experience much less stressful. If you meet with a lawyer who you don’t connect with, don’t be afraid to look for someone else. 

It often feels like if you don’t find a lawyer to protect you in the next few days your world will fall apart, but in most cases, you can take the time to find a lawyer you can see yourself working with for months or years until your case concludes. 

We offer all our clients a free consultation to meet face to face to see if we are the right fit for one another. 

4.) Choose a Law Firm Where You’ll Be Prioritized 

Some lawyers at large law firms have a large caseload and may struggle to prioritize you. Before you choose a lawyer, ensure that you’ll be able to contact your criminal defense lawyer whenever you can. 

All our clients have access to their lawyer 24/7, so should there be a sudden development in their case they can stay calm knowing their lawyer will be hot on their case in the very best way. 

5.) Look at Testimonials and Reviews 

When you have a list of potential criminal defense lawyers, read their testimonials and reviews. These testimonials and reviews will provide you with more information with how the lawyer works with their clients, what their past clients did and didn’t enjoy about working with them, and you may find endorsements that help you know whether a lawyer is or isn’t for you even before you meet them. 

Our outstanding reputation as a St. Louis criminal defense attorney is well reflected in our reviews – in fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another with such good reviews (and we aren’t afraid to share our successes)! Our dedication to superior client satisfaction – and a long list of successful cases – has helped us amass more testimonials than we can count, and we’re grateful for all of our great clients. If you’d like to read our reviews, you can see our client feedback here.  

6.) Ask Them About the Possible Outcomes 

Any criminal defense lawyer you speak to should be willing and able to talk to you about the possible outcomes of your case. While you want them to be confident about your case, be very wary of any lawyer who says they can guarantee you a win. 

The lawyers you speak to should be able to talk from experience about the realistic best- and worst-case scenarios and may have case studies and proof to show you. When you ask them about previous cases they’ve handled like yours, they should be at ease and happy to talk you through their cases. If they seem nervous or brisk, they may be trying to pull the wool over your eyes and likely won’t be able to help you at all in court. 

7.) They Should Offer a Free Consultation 

If a potential lawyer wants to charge you for your first meeting, steer clear. You want to find a criminal defense lawyer or firm who champions their clients and is ready to stand in their corner and fight for their liberty, career, and family life. If they aren’t willing to meet with you for your first consultation for free, they don’t have your best interests at heart, and it shows that they may not be committed fully to your case. 

We offer a free consultation for all of our clients to discuss their case, possible outcomes, and take the time to answer any and all questions they may have. 

8.) Discuss the Fees and Expenses

There are a huge number of benefits to paying for a private attorney, but you need to establish if the lawyers you are speaking to are within your budget. When you find someone you like, make sure you discuss potential fees as well as any fines you may have to pay as part of your punishment. 

You should also discuss the payment schedule and any flexibility. Some lawyers require 50% of their fee upfront, while others will accept monthly payments, and others a mixture of the two. Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject of money during your first meeting. 

You’ll want to pay for the very best lawyer you can find, but if you stretch yourself too far financially and can’t cover the payments halfway through your case, your lawyer may be reluctant – or be unable – to see it through. Discuss finances frankly so you can move ahead confidently. 

9.) Ask Them About a Potential Strategy

Talk to potential lawyers about the strategy they may use in your case. Not every lawyer’s strategy will be right for you, and if you aren’t comfortable with their proposed strategy, there’s no sense moving forward. If you don’t understand why they are proposing their strategy, ask them to clarify the reasons behind it. It’s their job to make everything clear and understandable for you, so don’t be embarrassed if you don’t understand at first. 

Ask potential lawyers if they believe there may be any chance of a plea deal so you can avoid going to trial. Going to trial is extremely stressful and you have to pay legal fees for the judge’s time. If there is any chance of a plea deal, discuss what this may entail and the punishment you may receive as a result of taking the deal.  

10.) Discuss How to Move Forward

When you find someone you feel is a good fit for you, ask them how long they believe your case will take, how you will be charged over that time (as many cases can take months or even years to reach conclusion), and how often you can expect to hear from them. 

Criminal defense lawyers manage several clients at once and your case may go for weeks or even months without progress as you wait for a response or a court date. Discuss how you’ll be kept in the loop and how often you can expect updates. 

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis, Missouri, don’t hesitate to reach out to us about your case. All of our clients receive personal attention, and we are available 24 hours a day from the moment of your arrest to help you with your case. We have an incredibly strong success record and will work to get you the very best outcome. If you need someone to protect your liberty, livelihood, and family, get in touch as soon as possible.  

10 Things You Should Look For in a Criminal Defense Attorney

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When you’re in need of a criminal defense lawyer, something’s gone wrong, and you’re in a position where your liberty, employment and career, family and financial future is in jeopardy. You can’t afford to choose the wrong attorney – you need someone you can trust with your life.

That’s why it’s absolutely vital you find the right criminal defense lawyer for you, your case and your budget as soon as possible. When you set out to find yourself a criminal defense lawyer, you likely don’t know where to start, let alone manage the new stresses in your life. The sooner you find the right attorney for you, the better. Here are the top ten qualities your criminal defense lawyer must have, and if you’re in the St. Louis Metro area, be sure to find out more about how Chris Combs and Combs Law Group can help with your case.

Passion – you want a lawyer who is passionate about what they do for their clients, for their community, and law. Chris Combs has dedicated much of his life to learning everything he can about practicing law, spent his years studying law and the beginning of his career in St. Louis and was born and bred here, ensuring he is in the best position possible to advocate for his clients. The attorney you choose to represent you should display the same passion and dedication for what they do.

Next, ensure they specialize in the area of law for your case. You can choose a lawyer who is a jack-of-all-trades, however, your case will go more smoothly (and will be more successful) if you choose an attorney with years of experience with cases like yours. Combs Law Group has a range of specialties; including traffic offenses, drug possession charges, violent and theft-related crimes. Ask your potential attorney what they have the most experience in and what similar cases they’ve represented.

Experienced – everyone has to start somewhere but choosing a criminal lawyer with years of experience under his or her belt is going to offer you peace of mind and the best chance of success. Most great lawyers start at a larger firm before branching out on their own, so choose an attorney who is open about their background and has a history practicing in your local area or in the area of law you require.

Respected in the local community – No attorney who tries to tell you they can get you off because they’re friends with the judge or law enforcement is to be trusted, however, choosing a firm who is well established and has developed relationships in the local area through longevity and experience is going to help your case move more smoothly. Chris Combs has been practicing law in the St. Louis area for over five years and has developed long-standing relationships with the local police, judges, and prosecutors.

Personalized attention: will you be a priority? This is a vital question to have answered; you don’t want to be a name or number on a list or handed off to paralegals without your knowledge. You need your case to be taken seriously and feel reassured and supported, that’s why we offer all of our clients personalized attention, and you should ensure that your criminal defense attorney or firm does the same. For us, client satisfaction is paramount, and you should look for an attorney or firm who can do the same for you if you aren’t in the St. Louis area.

Relatable – you need your attorney to be a human you relate to, who knows how to speak plainly, and whom you believe has a similar moral compass. When you meet or speak to them for the first time, how do they speak and act toward you? Do they confuse you with jargon, speak down to you, or put you at ease immediately? Use your intuition and go with your gut. If someone makes you feel stupid or uncomfortable look somewhere else.

Around the clock support – If you’ve sought the help of a criminal defense attorney it’s clear you need someone in your corner, especially if there’s a sudden change in your circumstances or a development in your case. If you need your lawyer at midnight, you need them then, not at noon the next day when they are ready to hear from you. All our clients have 24/7 access to their attorney, so they are never left alone and can rest assured that should they need someone to fight for them, their attorney will be there as soon as possible.

They have happy and grateful past clients. You look up the reviews of a restaurant before you go and looking for a defense attorney should be no different. Any good attorney will have past clients championing them and the work they’ve done. These are the people you should listen to and who are going to give you the true pros and cons of working with that attorney or law firm. Combs Law Group has a phenomenal track record of happy customers, and only one Google review below 5 stars – and that’s a 4 star with no complaints! That’s the kind of professionalism and performance history you want in your corner. Never settle for a second-rate attorney; remember this is your future on the line.

Upfront and open about fees. You should maximize your budget for the best lawyers you can get. This is not an area to save money in your life, and you should absolutely get the most experienced and successful lawyer you can, however, ensure you are charged fairly. We offer free case evaluations and charge you by case complexity and an agreed upon legal strategy. Your chosen attorney should be open and upfront, and you should walk away from anyone who ‘guarantees’ to win your case. It violates code, and there’s a difference between confidence and truly believing they can win your case and guaranteeing you a win.

Finally, choose a winner. You don’t back sports teams on a losing streak, so don’t hire an attorney who doesn’t have a backlog of successful cases they can show you. Your lawyer should love to win, be an aggressive advocate for their clients, and have a list of successful cases like yours that they can show you. The knowledge that your attorney has won cases similar to yours will help you stay a little cooler should your case go to trial. Chris Combs and Combs Law Group has a long history of successful outcomes and results, so our clients can rest assured knowing they hired the best people for their defense who will aggressively advocate for them throughout their case.

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis, with all the qualities listed above, contact Chris Combs and the Combs Law Group for a free consultation. We’ve restored the lives of hard-working people; from other lawyers to blue-collar workers. We cover the entire St. Louis Metro area and are dedicated to fighting for your future.

Areas Served

We proudly represent clients throughout the St. Louis Metro area including the following municipalities and counties: Affton, Florissant, Chesterfield, University City, Oakville, Wildwood, Ballwin, Mehlville, Kirkwood, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, Webster Groves, Ferguson, Spanish Lake, Manchester, Lemay, Overlan, Concord, Creve Coeur, Clayton, Bridgton, Jennings, St. Ann, Crestwood, Bellenfontaine, Town and Country, Berkley, Richmond Heights, Maplewood, Ellisville, Ladue, Des Peres, Sunset Hills, Brentwood, Eureka, Olivette, Sappington, St. John, Black Jac, Shrewsbury, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, Lincoln County, and Warren County, Ste. Genevieve County

Disclaimer

The information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice. No formation of the attorney-client privilege is created by the use of this site. The choice of an attorney is an important one and should not be based solely on advertisements.