Criminal Defense Lawyer in Clayton, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Clayton, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own 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 eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made for your own situation, 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 looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Clayton. We are waiting 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 on your side, give us a call 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 Full-Service Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide array of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- 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 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 easy knowing that you can contact your Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, 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 ever get in trouble with 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 speak with 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 greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Clayton defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- 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 witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could read your account 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 say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot order 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 heavily curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. 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 bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these papers, politely decline and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain 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 crucial 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 arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain 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 like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Clayton, 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 dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being given a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, 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 in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of 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 Clayton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Clayton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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. Most importantly, our premier Clayton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Clayton, 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 Clayton traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Clayton, MO include:
- Weapons Crime Attorney
- DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
- Violent Crime Lawyer
- Drug Crimes Lawyer
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
Contact Experienced Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Clayton, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review. Our firm is here to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.