Criminal Defense Lawyer in Independence, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Independence, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. 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 right Independence criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will develop a smart, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Independence, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Independence-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Independence. We are ready 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.

A Complete Independence, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The experienced Independence, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide variety 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 going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Independence criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can call your Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a direct 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, 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 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Independence defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 in the first place. A rookie or excited officer could read your account 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 leaves no doubt that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel 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 obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, 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 request that you sign one of these forms, politely decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Independence, 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 Independence criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Independence, MO

If there’s one thing that Independence drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Independence, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (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 Independence, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Independence 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed 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 facing stiffer penalties.

More and more Independence drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Independence traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Independence 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 Independence, 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 Independence traffic ticket.

Contact Seasoned Independence, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. Our firm is ready to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.