Criminal Defense Lawyer Bridgeton, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties ranging 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 limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Bridgeton criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out a proven, successful defense strategy custom-made for your unique circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Bridgeton-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Bridgeton. 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 in your corner, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
A Complete Bridgeton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Finding the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Bridgeton 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 talk to your Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, 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 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 the right thing, you will be fine 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 talk to 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 vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Bridgeton defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A rookie or overzealous officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, 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 say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion 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 get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. But, police will occasionally 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 want you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to request them, automatically makes them admissible in court as evidence, so it is crucial 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 Bridgeton, 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 in the room, and call a Bridgeton criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bridgeton, MO
If there’s one thing that Bridgeton drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Bridgeton, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Bridgeton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Bridgeton traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.
Many Bridgeton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bridgeton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure 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 premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Bridgeton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Bridgeton, MO include:
Contact Experienced Bridgeton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Bridgeton, 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 ready to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.