Criminal Defense Lawyer Sedalia, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, 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 significant penalties varying from fines to hours 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 restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the ideal Sedalia criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will map out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Sedalia-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Sedalia. 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, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Legal Videos

Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …

What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …

Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …

How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.

Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …

Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
A Complete Sedalia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide variety of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Sedalia 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 Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a direct 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 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 a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Sedalia defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s safe 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. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, ask them 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 say to 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 order you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. But, police will occasionally 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 ask you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to ask for 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Sedalia, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Sedalia criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Pettis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Pettis County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Sedalia, MO
If there’s one thing that Sedalia drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Sedalia, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Sedalia, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Sedalia traffic ticket, you effectively 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general 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 looking at stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Sedalia drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Sedalia traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Sedalia traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Sedalia, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Sedalia traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Sedalia, MO include:
- Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
Contact Seasoned Sedalia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a skilled Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation. Our firm is here 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 your community.

