Criminal Defense Lawyer Crawford County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours 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 a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the right Crawford County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will develop a proven, successful defense strategy made especially for your own circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Crawford County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Crawford County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Crawford County. We are waiting to talk to you about your case today and offer free, no-strings-attached initial consultations. If you are facing criminal charges and want to put the attorneys at Combs Waterkotte to work for you, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Crawford County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Crawford County and Missouri.
A Complete Crawford County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Crawford County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive 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 make the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Crawford 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 Crawford 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 current situation, you will have a dedicated 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, 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 a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Crawford County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 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. An inexperienced or excited officer could see your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes that you were just a 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 something. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work 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 say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to ask for 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 Crawford County, 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 Crawford County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Crawford County, MO
If there’s one thing that Crawford County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Crawford County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being given a traffic ticket in Crawford County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Crawford 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least 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 Crawford County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Crawford County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Crawford County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Crawford County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Crawford County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Crawford County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Crawford County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Crawford 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 eager to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.
