Criminal Defense Lawyer Franklin County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Franklin County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, 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 tailor-made for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Franklin County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Franklin County-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Franklin County. We are ready 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
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 …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
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 …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
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 …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
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 …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
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 …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
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 Complete Franklin County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Franklin County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide variety 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 make the difference between your case going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Franklin 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 Franklin 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 present circumstances, you will have a direct line to your attorney to listen and understand you in your time of need.
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Protect Your Life
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Know Your Next Steps
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you are ever questioned by the police, you may think 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 talk to a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Franklin County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could read your account 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 a detective. This way, you can call 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 make you a suspect, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their power to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. However, police will occasionally 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 documents, politely refuse and request to talk 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 renders 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Franklin 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 Franklin County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Franklin County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Franklin County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Franklin County, MO
If there’s one thing that Franklin County drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Franklin County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, 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 Franklin County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Franklin County traffic ticket, you essentially 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.
An increasing number of Franklin County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Franklin County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Franklin County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Franklin 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 start the process of getting your Franklin County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Franklin County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Franklin County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Franklin County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. Our firm is ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.
