Criminal Defense Lawyer New Madrid County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the right New Madrid County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced New Madrid County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help New Madrid County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in New Madrid County. We are eager to talk to you about your case today and offer free, no-strings-attached initial consultations. If you are facing criminal charges and want to put the attorneys at Combs Waterkotte in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
New Madrid County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in New Madrid County and Missouri.
A Complete New Madrid County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced New Madrid County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide array 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 make the difference between your case going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other New Madrid County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can contact your New Madrid County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a New Madrid County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. An inexperienced or excited officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. But, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these papers, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to ask for them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is crucial to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in New Madrid County, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a New Madrid County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In New Madrid County, MO
If there’s one thing that New Madrid County drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over New Madrid 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 town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in New Madrid County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your New Madrid County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
Many New Madrid County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their New Madrid County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier New Madrid County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in New Madrid 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 start the process of fixing your New Madrid County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in New Madrid County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned New Madrid County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a knowledgeable New Madrid County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.