Criminal Defense Lawyer Clayton, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Clayton criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will develop a proven, winning defense strategy custom-made for your unique 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 Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Clayton-area citizens from all walks of life 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 unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Clayton. We are ready 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with 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 Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse array 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 being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Clayton 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 call your Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, 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 think that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right 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 you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Clayton defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 watch what you say, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could see your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, go over 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 not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these forms, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to request them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is critical 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 Clayton, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Clayton criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Clayton, MO
If there’s one thing that Clayton drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Clayton, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Clayton traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Clayton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Clayton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Clayton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Clayton traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Clayton, MO include:
Contact Experienced Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free review of your case. Our firm is here to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.