Criminal Defense Lawyer Dunklin County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Dunklin County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will map out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Dunklin County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Dunklin County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Dunklin County. We are eager to talk to you about your case today and offer free, no-obligation initial consultations. If you are facing criminal charges and want to put the attorneys at Combs Waterkotte on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Dunklin County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Dunklin County and Missouri.
A Complete Dunklin County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Dunklin County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide variety of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Dunklin County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can call your Dunklin County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a direct line to your attorney to be a friendly listener in your time of need.
When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you ever get in trouble with the police, you may think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Dunklin County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or excited officer could read your account the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police want you to sign one of these forms, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to request them, automatically makes them admissible in court as evidence, so it is critical to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Dunklin County, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Dunklin County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Dunklin County, MO
If there’s one thing that Dunklin County drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Dunklin County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Dunklin County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Dunklin County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be facing harsher penalties.
More and more Dunklin County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Dunklin County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Dunklin County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Dunklin County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Dunklin County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Dunklin County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Dunklin County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Dunklin County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. Our firm is here to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.
