Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bonne Terre, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Bonne Terre, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing substantial penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. Also, 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 Bonne Terre 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 face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out a smart, winning defense strategy made especially for your unique 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 Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Bonne Terre-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Bonne Terre. 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 in your corner, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Complete Bonne Terre, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Bonne Terre, 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

Working with the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Bonne Terre 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 Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat 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 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right and they will not hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is wholly possible that you may not believe you should chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Bonne Terre defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or excited officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell 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, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, police will sometimes 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 refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Bonne Terre, MO. If you are ever arrested 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 Bonne Terre criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bonne Terre, MO

If there’s one thing that Bonne Terre drivers do not like 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 over Bonne Terre, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in Bonne Terre, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Bonne Terre traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Bonne Terre drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bonne Terre traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Bonne Terre traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Bonne Terre, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Bonne Terre traffic ticket.

Contact Trusted Bonne Terre, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a skilled Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free review of your case. Our firm is ready to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst friends and in the community.