Criminal Defense Lawyer Buchanan County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at significant penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the right Buchanan County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will plan out a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Buchanan County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Buchanan County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Buchanan County. 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 in your corner, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Buchanan County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Buchanan County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Buchanan County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Buchanan 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 make the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Buchanan 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 Buchanan County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to lend an ear 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 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 100% possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Buchanan County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s logical 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 rookie or overzealous officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. 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 an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to 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 reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. But, 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 bloodstream. If the police ask you to sign one of these papers, politely decline and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Buchanan 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 an attorney being present, and call a Buchanan County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Buchanan County, MO
If there’s one thing that Buchanan County drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Buchanan County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being written a traffic ticket in Buchanan County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Buchanan County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity 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 in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
Many Buchanan County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Buchanan County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Buchanan 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 Buchanan County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Buchanan County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Buchanan County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Buchanan County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Buchanan 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 talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.
