Criminal Defense Lawyer Ballwin, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant 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 soiled, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Ballwin criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will plan out a smart, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Ballwin, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Ballwin-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges minimize 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 Ballwin. 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 contact online today.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Ballwin, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Ballwin, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, including:
- 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 favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Ballwin criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can call your Ballwin, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated 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 the right thing, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, 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 wholly possible that you may not believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Ballwin defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and were in no way involved it, it’s fine 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. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, request 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 say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear 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 something. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. However, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police want you to sign one of these forms, politely say no and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Ballwin, 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 interrogation without a lawyer by your side, and call a Ballwin criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ballwin, MO
If there’s one thing that Ballwin drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Ballwin, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets 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).
Getting a traffic ticket in Ballwin, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Ballwin traffic ticket, you essentially 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Ballwin drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ballwin traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Ballwin traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Ballwin, 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 getting your Ballwin traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Ballwin, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Ballwin, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Ballwin, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review. Our firm is here to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.