Criminal Defense Lawyer Washington, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Washington criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will map out an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially 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 Washington, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Washington-area citizens from all walks of life 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 Washington. We are ready 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Franklin County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Franklin County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Washington, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Washington, 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
Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Washington 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 talk to your Washington, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, you will have a direct line to your attorney to listen and understand you 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 the right thing, you will be all right 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 call an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Washington defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were in no way involved 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 see your account 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 a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police leaves no doubt that you were an innocent 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 compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. However, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these papers, politely refuse and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to request 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Washington, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any inquiries without an attorney being present, and call a Washington criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Washington, MO
If there’s one thing that Washington drivers do not want 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 Washington, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Washington, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Washington 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.
A growing number of Washington drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Washington traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Washington traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Washington, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Washington traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Washington, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Washington, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Washington, 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 ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.
