Criminal Defense Lawyer Cape Girardeau County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant 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 soiled, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Cape Girardeau County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Cape Girardeau County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Cape Girardeau County-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled 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, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
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.
A Complete Cape Girardeau County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Cape Girardeau County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive variety of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Finding the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your way and losing 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 discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, 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 think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be all right and they will not hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, 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 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Cape Girardeau County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime 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 talking to you to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call 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 an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. Police cannot compel 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 ability 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 ask you to sign one of these forms, politely decline 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 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 Cape Girardeau County, 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 Cape Girardeau County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cape Girardeau County, MO
If there’s one thing that Cape Girardeau County drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Cape Girardeau County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets 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 have a property tax at all).
Being given a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide 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 severity of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be facing stiffer 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 unmatched legal intelligence to every single 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Cape Girardeau County 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 Cape Girardeau County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Cape Girardeau County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Cape Girardeau County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Cape Girardeau County, 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 knowledgeable 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 review of your case. Our firm is eager to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.
