Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bates County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Bates County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.

Having the correct Bates County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will map out an intelligent, successful defense strategy custom-made for your unique situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Bates County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Bates County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Bates County. We are waiting 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Full-Service Bates County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Bates 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 being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Bates County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can call your Bates County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, 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 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 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 entirely possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Bates County defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene 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 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 think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, 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 fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot order 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 limits their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. But, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police ask you to sign one of these papers, politely decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for them, automatically renders 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Bates County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any questions without an attorney being present, and call a Bates County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bates County, MO

If there’s one thing that Bates County 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 Bates County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in Bates County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Bates County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down 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 another time during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.

More and more Bates County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bates County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to all 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, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier Bates County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Bates 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 begin the process of getting your Bates County traffic ticket fixed.

Contact Experienced Bates County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Bates County, 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 ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.