Criminal Defense Lawyer Chesterfield, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Furthermore, 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 correct Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will map out a proven, winning defense strategy made especially for your own circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Chesterfield, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Chesterfield-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Chesterfield. 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
A Complete Chesterfield, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Chesterfield, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse array 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 way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Chesterfield criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can contact your Chesterfield, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated 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 the right thing, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, 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 wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Chesterfield defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were just passing through, 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 talking to you in the first place. A younger or excited officer could see your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, 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 were involved, and make sure what you tell the police emphasizes that you were an innocent 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 paperwork. Police cannot order 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 heavily sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. However, police will from time to time 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 request that you sign one of these papers, politely decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Chesterfield, 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 an attorney being present, and call a Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Chesterfield, MO
If there’s one thing that Chesterfield drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Chesterfield, 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 declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Chesterfield, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Chesterfield traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be looking at 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 at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
Many Chesterfield drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Chesterfield traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Chesterfield traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Chesterfield, MO include:
Contact Trusted Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free review of your case. Our firm is here to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.