Criminal Defense Lawyer Barton County, 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 forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. In addition, 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 ideal Barton County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Barton County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Barton County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Barton County. 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Barton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Barton County and Missouri.
A Complete Barton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Barton County, 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
Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Barton County criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can call your Barton County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, 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 think that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this is not always the case, 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 think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Barton County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene 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 witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could see 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 a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails 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 papers, politely say no and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain 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 key 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 Barton County, MO. If you are ever actually detained 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 Barton County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Barton County, MO
If there’s one thing that Barton County drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Barton County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Barton County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Barton County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Barton County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Barton County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Barton County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Barton County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Barton County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Barton County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Barton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Barton County, 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 indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.
