Criminal Defense Lawyer in Benton, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Benton, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, 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 Benton criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will map out a proven, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Benton-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges limit the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Benton. 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.

A Full-Service Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse variety of case types and criminal charges, including:

• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Assault/Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges

Finding the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Benton 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 talk to your Benton, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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 give you any more trouble. However, this is a rare occurrence, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Benton defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, 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 looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their ability to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. However, police will from time to time 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 documents, politely decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain 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 critical to know your rights at all times.
• When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Benton, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any interrogation without a lawyer by your side, and call a Benton criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Benton, MO

If there’s one thing that Benton drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Benton, 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 were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Getting a traffic ticket in Benton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Benton traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 in general cannot be struck 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 increased penalties.

A growing number of Benton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Benton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our top-notch Benton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Benton, 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 Benton traffic ticket fixed.

Other cases we take on in Benton, MO include:

• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer
• Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Contact Trusted Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Benton, 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 eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.