Criminal Defense Lawyer Chariton County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Furthermore, 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 right Chariton County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will plan out an intelligent, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Chariton County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Chariton County-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 unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Chariton 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 talk to us online today.
Chariton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Chariton County and Missouri.
A Complete Chariton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Chariton County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse variety 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 be the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Chariton 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 Chariton County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, 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 the right thing, you will be fine 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 speak with an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Chariton County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could read your statement 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 clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force 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 greatly curtails their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain 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 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 Chariton County, 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 Chariton County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Chariton County, MO
If there’s one thing that Chariton County drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Chariton County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the town 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 Chariton County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Chariton County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down 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 another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
More and more Chariton County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Chariton County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even small 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Chariton County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Chariton County, 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 begin the process of getting your Chariton County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Chariton County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Chariton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Chariton 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 friends and in the community.
