Criminal Defense Lawyer Poplar Bluff, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the right Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out a smart, winning defense strategy made especially for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Poplar Bluff-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges minimize 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 Poplar Bluff. 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Butler County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Butler County and Missouri.
A Complete Poplar Bluff, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide 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 favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can talk to your Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, 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 ever get in trouble with 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 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 think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Poplar Bluff defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When police “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 logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you in the first place. A rookie or excited officer could see your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky 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 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 grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their power to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will occasionally 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 papers, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Poplar Bluff, 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 interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Poplar Bluff, MO
If there’s one thing that Poplar Bluff drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Poplar Bluff, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Poplar Bluff, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Poplar Bluff traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you 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 greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.
More and more Poplar Bluff drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Poplar Bluff traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled 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 brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Poplar Bluff traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Poplar Bluff, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Poplar Bluff traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Poplar Bluff, MO include:
Contact Experienced Poplar Bluff, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a skilled Poplar Bluff, 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 eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.