Criminal Defense Lawyer Newton County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties varying from fines to time 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 the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Newton County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will develop a smart, winning defense strategy custom-made for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Newton County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Newton County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Newton County. We are waiting 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Newton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Newton County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Newton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Newton County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Finding the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Newton 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 talk to your Newton County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, 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 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 100% possible that you may not believe you should chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Newton County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “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 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. An inexperienced or excited officer could see 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 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 just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will sometimes 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 ask you to sign one of these documents, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 Newton County, 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 in the room, and call a Newton County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Newton County, MO
If there’s one thing that Newton County drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Newton County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Newton County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Newton County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you 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 at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.
More and more Newton County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Newton County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Newton County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Newton 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 start the process of getting your Newton County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Newton County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Newton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Newton County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free review of your case. Our firm is ready to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.
