Criminal Defense Lawyer Cottleville, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties ranging from fines to time 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 limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the correct Cottleville 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 face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will develop an intelligent, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Cottleville, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Cottleville-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges reduce 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 Cottleville. We are eager 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.
St. Charles County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Charles County and Missouri.
A Complete Cottleville, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Cottleville, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Cottleville 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 call your Cottleville, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, 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 fine and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call an experienced 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 greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Cottleville defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with 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 looking for witnesses in the first place. A younger or excited officer could take your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their ability to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these forms, politely say no and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for them, automatically makes 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Cottleville, 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 questions without a lawyer in the room, and call a Cottleville criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cottleville, MO
If there’s one thing that Cottleville drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Cottleville, 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 dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being given a traffic ticket in Cottleville, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Cottleville traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be facing stiffer penalties.
Many Cottleville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cottleville traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Cottleville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Cottleville, 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 Cottleville traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Cottleville, MO include:
Contact Experienced Cottleville, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Cottleville, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free consultation. Our firm is ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst friends and in the community.
