Criminal Defense Lawyer Crawford County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Crawford County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom 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 care and attention, who will develop a proven, 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 Crawford County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Crawford County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Crawford 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.
Crawford County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Crawford County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Crawford County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Crawford County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive array of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Crawford 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 Crawford County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, 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 believe 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 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 that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Crawford County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with 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 looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, request 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 emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time 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 ask you to sign one of these forms, politely say no and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain 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 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 Crawford 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 questions without an attorney being present, and call a Crawford County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Crawford County, MO
If there’s one thing that Crawford County drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Crawford County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being written a traffic ticket in Crawford County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Crawford County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.
More and more Crawford County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Crawford 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 error. Best of all, our exceptional Crawford County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Crawford 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 fixing your Crawford County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Crawford County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Crawford County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Crawford County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 charges and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.