Criminal Defense Lawyer Greene County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. 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 correct Greene County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will develop an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Greene County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Greene County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Greene County. We are eager 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Greene County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Greene County and Missouri.
A Complete Greene County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Greene County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive variety 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 going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Greene County criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can talk to your Greene County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, 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 ever get in trouble with the police, you may think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be fine 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 speak with an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not believe you should chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Greene County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you in the first place. A rookie or overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, go over what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes 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 something. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives 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 system. If the police ask you to sign one of these documents, politely decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to request them, automatically makes 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 Greene County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a Greene County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Greene County, MO
If there’s one thing that Greene County drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Greene County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the town you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Greene County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Greene 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 severity 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 usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.
More and more Greene County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Greene County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop 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. Most importantly, our premier Greene 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 issued a traffic ticket in Greene 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 Greene County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Greene County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Greene 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 Greene 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 any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.