Criminal Defense Lawyer Maries County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the ideal Maries County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will map out an intelligent, successful defense strategy made especially for your distinct circumstances, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Maries County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Maries 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 offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Maries 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
A Complete Maries County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Maries County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse 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 favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Maries County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can contact your Maries County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about 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 dedicated line to your attorney to be a friendly listener in your time of need.
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you are ever questioned by the police, you may think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be all right and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely 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 instances where calling a Maries County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s safe 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 talking to you to begin with. A younger or excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police leaves no doubt that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear 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 order you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. However, 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 request that you sign one of these papers, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to request them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is key to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Maries County, MO. If you are ever actually detained 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 Maries County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Maries County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Maries County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Maries County, MO
If there’s one thing that Maries County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Maries 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 were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Maries County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Maries County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Maries County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Maries County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence 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, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Maries County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Maries 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 begin the process of getting your Maries County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Maries County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Maries County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Maries County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation. Our firm is eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.
