Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bridgeton, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Bridgeton, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying 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 restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Bridgeton criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique circumstances, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—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 limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Bridgeton. We are eager 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 get in touch with us 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 Full-Service Bridgeton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide array 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 way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike 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 easy knowing that you can contact your Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, 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 current situation, you will have a direct 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 is a rare occurrence, 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 entirely possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Bridgeton defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved it, 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. An inexperienced or excited 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 the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, 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 may want to 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 genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit 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 papers, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to ask for them, automatically renders 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Bridgeton, 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 inquiries without an attorney being present, 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 distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Bridgeton, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being given a traffic ticket in Bridgeton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Bridgeton traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.
An increasing number of Bridgeton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bridgeton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Bridgeton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Bridgeton, 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 start the process of fixing your Bridgeton traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Bridgeton, MO include:
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- DWI Attorney
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Contact Trusted Bridgeton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.