Criminal Defense Lawyer Fayette, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Fayette criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will map out a proven, winning defense strategy custom-made for your unique situation, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Fayette, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Fayette-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges limit 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 Fayette. We are eager 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 get in touch with us online today.
Howard County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Howard County and Missouri.
A Complete Fayette, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Fayette, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide 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 favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Fayette 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 talk to your Fayette, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, 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 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 hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to a trusted 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 circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Fayette defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. 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 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 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 something. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their power to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will from time to time 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 request that you sign one of these documents, politely say no and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a good 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 Fayette, 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 Fayette criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Fayette, MO
If there’s one thing that Fayette drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Fayette, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being written a traffic ticket in Fayette, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Fayette traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity 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 at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Fayette drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Fayette traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Fayette traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Fayette, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Fayette traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Fayette, MO include:
Contact Experienced Fayette, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to grave felonies, talk to a skilled Fayette, 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 ready to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.
