Criminal Defense Lawyer Pettis County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a seemingly insignificant 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 affected, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Pettis 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 best in personal care and attention, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made 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 Pettis County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Pettis County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Pettis 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
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A Full-Service Pettis County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Pettis 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Pettis 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 talk to your Pettis County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated 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 think 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 speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Pettis County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, 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 looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could see your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, 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 were involved, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these documents, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to request 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Pettis County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any interrogation without a lawyer in the room, and call a Pettis County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Pettis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Pettis County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Pettis County, MO
If there’s one thing that Pettis County drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Pettis 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).
Being given a traffic ticket in Pettis County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Pettis County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.
An increasing number of Pettis County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Pettis County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Pettis 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 Pettis County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Pettis County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Pettis County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Pettis 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 seasoned Pettis County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review. Our firm is ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.

