Criminal Defense Lawyer Barton County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing substantial penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. 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 right Barton County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will develop a proven, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique 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 assist Barton County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Barton County. We are eager 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Legal Videos

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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 …

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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.

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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 …

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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 Full-Service Barton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Barton County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive 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 be the difference between your case going in your way 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 be assured that you can call your Barton County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, 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 what they want to hear, you will be all right 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 wholly possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Barton County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with 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 excited officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. 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 emphasizes 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 something. Police cannot force 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 greatly limits their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these papers, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to request 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 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 questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Barton County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Barton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Barton County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Barton County, MO
If there’s one thing that Barton County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Barton County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Barton County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Barton County 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 drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.
More and more Barton County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Barton County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Barton County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued 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 fixing your Barton County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Barton County, MO include:
- Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
Contact Seasoned Barton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Barton County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 indictments and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.

