Criminal Defense Lawyer Johnson County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Johnson County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will map out a proven, successful defense strategy custom-made for your own situation, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Johnson County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges limit 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 Johnson 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Johnson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Johnson County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Johnson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take 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 way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Johnson 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 contact your Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, 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 are ever questioned by the police, you may believe 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 is not always the case, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Johnson County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s fine 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 in the first place. A younger or excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes 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 protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit 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 documents, politely say no and request to speak 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 critical to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Johnson 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 questions without a lawyer in the room, and call a Johnson County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Johnson County, MO
If there’s one thing that Johnson 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 around Johnson County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town 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 Johnson County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Johnson County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.
An increasing number of Johnson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Johnson County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure 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 police error. Best of all, our exceptional Johnson County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Johnson 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 getting your Johnson County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Johnson County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Johnson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst friends and in the community.