Criminal Defense Lawyer in Hannibal, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Hannibal, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.

Having the correct Hannibal 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 suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will develop an intelligent, winning defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Hannibal, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Hannibal-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges limit 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 Hannibal. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Complete Hannibal, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Hannibal, 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

Finding the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Hannibal criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can talk to your Hannibal, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, 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 lend an ear 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 is not always the case, 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 think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Hannibal defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were in no way involved it, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could read your statement 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 talk to an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell 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 may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign something. 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 limits their power to get search warrants or force 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 papers, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 Hannibal, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any questions without an attorney being present, and call a Hannibal criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Hannibal, MO

If there’s one thing that Hannibal drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Hannibal, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the town you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in Hannibal, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Hannibal 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 usually cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.

Many Hannibal drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Hannibal traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor 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, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Hannibal traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal traffic ticket fixed.

Other cases we take on in Hannibal, MO include:

• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

Contact Trusted Hannibal, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a skilled Hannibal, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case. Our firm is ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.