Criminal Defense Lawyer Atchison County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing substantial penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. 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 Atchison County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will map 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 Atchison County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Atchison County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Atchison County. 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 get in touch with us online today.
Atchison County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Atchison County and Missouri.
A Complete Atchison County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Atchison County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive 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 make the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Atchison County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can contact your Atchison County, 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, the time of day, 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 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 speak with an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% 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 Atchison County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were in no way involved it, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and think that you are 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, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, 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, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their power to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. However, police will from time to time 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 want you to sign one of these documents, politely decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for them, automatically makes them admissible in court as evidence, so it is key 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 Atchison County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any questions without an attorney being present, and call a Atchison County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Atchison County, MO
If there’s one thing that Atchison County drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Atchison County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (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 Atchison County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Atchison County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
Many Atchison County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Atchison County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Atchison County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Atchison County, 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 start the process of fixing your Atchison County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Atchison County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Atchison County, 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 grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Atchison County, 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 accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.