Criminal Defense Lawyer Bridgeton, 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 for good. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing significant 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 restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Bridgeton criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially 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 veteran Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Bridgeton-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Bridgeton. We are waiting 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 to work for you, give us a call 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 experienced Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide array 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 at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a veteran 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 outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Bridgeton defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you in the first place. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could read your statement 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 a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes 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 compel 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 curtails their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. 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 say no and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get 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 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 actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any questions 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 in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Bridgeton, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets 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).
Getting a traffic ticket in Bridgeton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect 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 degree 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 usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
An increasing number of Bridgeton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bridgeton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) 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 excellent 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 issued 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 getting your Bridgeton traffic ticket fixed.
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, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Bridgeton, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free case review. Our firm is ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.
