Criminal Defense Lawyer Howell County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Howell County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change 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 substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.

Having the correct Howell County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will plan out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Howell County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at 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 Howell 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.

A Full-Service Howell County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive array 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 going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Howell 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 contact your Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to listen and understand you in your time of need.

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 the right thing, you will be all right 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 speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is 100% possible that you may not believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Howell County defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When police “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 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 overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss 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 less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. 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 bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for them, automatically makes 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Howell 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 questions without a lawyer in the room, and call a Howell County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Howell County, MO

If there’s one thing that Howell County drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Howell County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality 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 Howell County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Howell County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

More and more Howell County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Howell County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Howell County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Howell 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 fixing your Howell County traffic ticket.

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

• Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans

Contact Experienced Howell County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Howell 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 here to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.