Criminal Defense Lawyer Dunklin County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties ranging from fines to time 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 restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Dunklin County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your own situation, and do all that they can to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Dunklin County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Dunklin County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Dunklin County. We are ready 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Legal Videos

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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 …

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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 …

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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.

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 Full-Service Dunklin County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Dunklin County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse array 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 be the difference between your case being decided in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Dunklin County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can call your Dunklin 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, what time it is, or your present circumstances, 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 hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Dunklin 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 just passing through, it’s fine 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 talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or excited officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you 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, go over what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police clearly establishes 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, it’s a good idea to 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 suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will occasionally 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 documents, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Dunklin County, 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 inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Dunklin County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Dunklin County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Dunklin County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Dunklin County, MO
If there’s one thing that Dunklin County drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Dunklin County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, 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 levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Dunklin County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Dunklin County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.
An increasing number of Dunklin County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Dunklin County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced 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 police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Dunklin County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Dunklin 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 Dunklin County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Dunklin County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Dunklin County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Dunklin 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 chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.

