Criminal Defense Lawyer Clayton, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Clayton, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, 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 correct Clayton criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will develop a smart, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—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 limit the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. 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-obligation 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.

A Complete Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide array of case types and criminal charges, such as:

• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Assault/Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges

Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Clayton criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can talk to your Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to listen and understand you in your time of need.

When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you ever get in trouble with the police, you may believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this is a rare occurrence, 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 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 Clayton defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near 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 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. A younger or overzealous officer could see your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. 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 clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could make you a suspect, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow 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 forms, politely decline and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for 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 taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any interrogation 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 behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Clayton, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Getting a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Clayton traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

More and more Clayton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Clayton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Clayton 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 written a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO and do not want it to hamper 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:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer

Contact Seasoned Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Clayton, 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 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 family and friends.