Criminal Defense Lawyer Carroll County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, 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 ideal Carroll County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Carroll County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Carroll County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Carroll County. 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Carroll County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Carroll County and Missouri.
A Complete Carroll County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Carroll County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive array of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Carroll County 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 Carroll County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, 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 ever get in trouble with the police, you may think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Carroll County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, 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 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 talk to an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police leaves no doubt that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. However, police will sometimes 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 papers, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 Carroll County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Carroll County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Carroll County, MO
If there’s one thing that Carroll 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 Carroll County, 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 town you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Carroll County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Carroll County traffic ticket, you essentially 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.
Many Carroll County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Carroll County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen 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 reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Carroll County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Carroll 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 fixing your Carroll County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Carroll County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Carroll County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Carroll County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. Our firm is ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.