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Criminal Defense Lawyer Stoddard County, MO

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Last Updated: February 29, 2024

Criminal Defense Lawyer Stoddard County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small 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 changed, if found guilty you will be looking at significant penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. In addition, 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 right Stoddard County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your own situation, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Stoddard County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Stoddard County-area citizens of all kinds 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 unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Stoddard County. We are eager 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.


Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Play video

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?
Play video

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
Play video

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?
Play video

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?
Play video

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?
Play video

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 …

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Play video

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs answers the most commonly asked questions about Criminal Defense Cases in …

Are Text Messages Admissible in Court?
Play video

Are Text Messages Admissible in Court?

Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte answer if text messages are admissible in court. This video is part of a series on your legal rights during police interactions.

Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Play video

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?
Play video

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
Play video

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?
Play video

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?
Play video

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?
Play video

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 …

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Play video

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs answers the most commonly asked questions about Criminal Defense Cases in …

Are Text Messages Admissible in Court?
Play video

Are Text Messages Admissible in Court?

Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte answer if text messages are admissible in court. This video is part of a series on your legal rights during police interactions.


A Complete Stoddard County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The experienced Stoddard County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, including:

Choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Stoddard County criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can talk to your Stoddard County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a direct line to your attorney to listen and understand you 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

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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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    Ready to Talk to an Expert?

    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 ever get in trouble with the police, you may believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. 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 100% possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Stoddard County defense lawyer is the right move to make:

  • When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s fine 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 think that you are a prime suspect. 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 tell 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, it’s a good idea 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 reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their power to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will occasionally 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 documents, politely refuse 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 renders 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Stoddard 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 inquiries without an attorney being present, and call a Stoddard County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Stoddard County, MO

If there’s one thing that Stoddard 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 around Stoddard County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being written a traffic ticket in Stoddard County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Stoddard 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.

More and more Stoddard County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Stoddard County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Stoddard County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Stoddard 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 fixing your Stoddard County traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in Stoddard County, MO include:

Contact Trusted Stoddard County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Stoddard County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free consultation. Our firm is ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.

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