Criminal Defense Lawyer DeKalb County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Furthermore, 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 ideal DeKalb County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran DeKalb County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist DeKalb County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in DeKalb County. 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
DeKalb County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in DeKalb County and Missouri.
A Full-Service DeKalb County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable DeKalb County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other DeKalb 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 talk to your DeKalb County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter 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 ever get in trouble with the police, you may think 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 a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a DeKalb County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene 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 see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could see your statement the wrong way and think that you are 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 leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. But, 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 bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these papers, politely refuse 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 request them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is critical to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in DeKalb 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 interrogation without a lawyer by your side, and call a DeKalb County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In DeKalb County, MO
If there’s one thing that DeKalb County drivers do not want 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 DeKalb 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 town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in DeKalb County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your DeKalb County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
A growing number of DeKalb County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their DeKalb County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch DeKalb County 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 given a traffic ticket in DeKalb County, 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 begin the process of getting your DeKalb County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in DeKalb County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned DeKalb County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to grave felonies, talk to a knowledgeable DeKalb County, 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 talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.
