Criminal Defense Lawyer Cape Girardeau County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the correct Cape Girardeau County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will plan out an intelligent, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Cape Girardeau County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Cape Girardeau County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit 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 Cape Girardeau County. We are eager 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.
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
A Complete Cape Girardeau County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Cape Girardeau County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Cape Girardeau County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can talk to your Cape Girardeau County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to lend an ear in your time of need.
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Protect Your Life
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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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 all right 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 entirely possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Cape Girardeau County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were in no way involved it, it’s fine 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 in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could see your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear 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 compel 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 heavily sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. But, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these documents, politely decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to request 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Cape Girardeau County, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Cape Girardeau County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Cape Girardeau County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cape Girardeau County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cape Girardeau County, MO
If there’s one thing that Cape Girardeau County drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Cape Girardeau County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, 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).
Getting a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Cape Girardeau County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly 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 once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.
A growing number of Cape Girardeau County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cape Girardeau County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Cape Girardeau County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau County, 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 Cape Girardeau County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Cape Girardeau County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Cape Girardeau County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Cape Girardeau County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our firm is eager to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst friends and in the community.
