Criminal Defense Lawyer Manchester, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, 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 correct Manchester criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge 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 ultimate in personal attention and care, who will develop an intelligent, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Manchester, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Manchester-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Manchester. We are ready 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
A Complete Manchester, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Manchester, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive 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 be the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Manchester criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can talk to your Manchester, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be fine and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this is not always the case, 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 wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Manchester defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A younger or excited officer could see your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, go over 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 murky and could make you a suspect, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, police will sometimes 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 ask you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a good 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Manchester, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any interrogation without a lawyer by your side, and call a Manchester criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Manchester, MO
If there’s one thing that Manchester drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Manchester, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Manchester, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Manchester traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 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 looking at increased penalties.
An increasing number of Manchester drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Manchester traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Manchester traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Manchester, 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 Manchester traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Manchester, MO include:
Contact Trusted Manchester, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Manchester, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review. Our firm is ready to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.