Criminal Defense Lawyer Benton, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Benton, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.

Having the ideal Benton criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Benton-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Benton. 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Complete Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse 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 be the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Benton 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 contact your Benton, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to lend an ear 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 fine 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 call an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is entirely possible that you may not believe you should chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Benton defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near 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 see your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could make you a suspect, you should 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 genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their ability to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood tests 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 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 makes 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Benton, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any interrogation without a lawyer in the room, and call a Benton criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Benton, MO

If there’s one thing that Benton drivers do not want 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 Benton, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Getting a traffic ticket in Benton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Benton traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Benton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Benton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Benton 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 issued a traffic ticket in Benton, 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 Benton traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in Benton, MO include:

Contact Trusted Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Benton, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free review of your case. 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.