Criminal Defense Lawyer Chariton County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties ranging from fines to time 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 Chariton County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will plan out a smart, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced 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 reduce 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 Chariton County. We are eager to talk to you about your case today and offer free, no-obligation 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.
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 knowledgeable Chariton County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Chariton County criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can call your Chariton County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a direct 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 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 an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Chariton County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene 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 see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could read 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, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will sometimes 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 ask you to sign one of these papers, 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 good reason to ask for 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, tell them that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Chariton County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up 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 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 around Chariton County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Chariton County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Chariton County 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
An increasing number of Chariton County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Chariton County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Chariton County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. 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 start the process of getting your Chariton County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Chariton County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Chariton County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Chariton 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 talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst friends and in the community.
