Criminal Defense Lawyer Jefferson City, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, 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 right Jefferson City criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will develop a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Jefferson City, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Jefferson City-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Jefferson City. We are ready 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Cole County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cole County and Missouri.
A Complete Jefferson City, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Jefferson City, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse variety 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Jefferson City 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 talk to your Jefferson City, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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 what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Jefferson City defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly see what happened: 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 consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police emphasizes that you were just a 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 protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. However, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which permit 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 say no and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a good 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Jefferson City, MO. If you are ever taken into custody 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 by your side, and call a Jefferson City criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jefferson City, MO
If there’s one thing that Jefferson City 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 around Jefferson City, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being written a traffic ticket in Jefferson City, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Jefferson City traffic ticket, you essentially 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 greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be facing increased penalties.
A growing number of Jefferson City drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jefferson City traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure 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 an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Jefferson City 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 issued a traffic ticket in Jefferson City, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Jefferson City traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Jefferson City, MO include:
Contact Trusted Jefferson City, 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 skilled Jefferson City, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.