Criminal Defense Lawyer Hazelwood, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter 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 significant penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. 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 Hazelwood 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 a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Hazelwood, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Hazelwood-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges limit 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 Hazelwood. We are waiting 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, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Legal Videos
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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 …
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 Full-Service Hazelwood, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Hazelwood, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take 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 be the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Hazelwood 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 Hazelwood, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter 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
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
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 ever get in trouble with the police, you may believe that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Hazelwood 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 fine 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 looking for witnesses in the first place. A rookie or excited officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. 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, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could lead to you being a person of interest, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard 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 provides 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 from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police want you to sign one of these documents, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain 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 crucial 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 Hazelwood, MO. If you are ever actually detained 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 Hazelwood criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Hazelwood, MO
If there’s one thing that Hazelwood drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Hazelwood, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Hazelwood, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Hazelwood traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing increased penalties.
An increasing number of Hazelwood drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Hazelwood traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Hazelwood traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Hazelwood, 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 getting your Hazelwood traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Hazelwood, MO include:
Contact Trusted Hazelwood, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Hazelwood, 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 here to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.
