Criminal Defense Lawyer Cole County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Cole County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will plan out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, 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 Cole County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Cole County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Cole County. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Legal Videos
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Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
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Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
A Complete Cole County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Cole County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide variety 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 make the difference between your case going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Cole County 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 contact your Cole County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk 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 direct line to your attorney to be a friendly listener in your time of need.
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Protect Your Life
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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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 what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, 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 entirely 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 scenarios where calling a Cole County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, 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 excited officer could see your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, 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 possibly place you under suspicion, you should 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 genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police ask you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain 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 key to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Cole County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any questions without an attorney being present, and call a Cole County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Cole County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cole County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cole County, MO
If there’s one thing that Cole County 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 around Cole County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses 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).
Being given a traffic ticket in Cole County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Cole County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be facing stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Cole County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cole County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Cole County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Cole County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Cole County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Cole County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Cole County, 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 Cole County, 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 hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.
