Criminal Defense Lawyer Cooper County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties varying from fines to time 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 being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the ideal Cooper County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will develop a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Cooper County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Cooper County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit 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 Cooper 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Cooper County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cooper County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Cooper County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Cooper County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive variety 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 make the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Cooper County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can call your Cooper County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, you will have a direct line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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 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 an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Cooper County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- 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 safe 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 talking to you 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 say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a 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 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 provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their ability to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. But, 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 ask you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to request 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Cooper County, 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 questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Cooper County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cooper County, MO
If there’s one thing that Cooper County drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Cooper County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality 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 Cooper County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Cooper County traffic ticket, you essentially 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
Many Cooper County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cooper County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to every 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Cooper County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 Cooper 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 Cooper County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Cooper County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Cooper County, 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 skilled Cooper County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. 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 hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.