Criminal Defense Lawyer in Howard County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Howard County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging 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 being unable to vote or own a firearm.

Having the correct Howard County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will map out a proven, successful defense strategy custom-made for your unique situation, 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 Howard County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Howard County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Howard County. 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.

A Complete Howard County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The experienced Howard County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive array of case types and criminal charges, including:

• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Assault/Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges

Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Howard 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 Howard County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day 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 current situation, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to listen and understand you 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 all right and they will not give you any more trouble. 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 believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Howard County defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or excited 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 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 an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear 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 paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their power to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police ask you to sign one of these papers, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to request 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 Howard County, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a Howard County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Howard County, MO

If there’s one thing that Howard County drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Howard County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Being written a traffic ticket in Howard County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Howard County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 dramatically increase. Tickets in general 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 stiffer penalties.

Many Howard County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Howard County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every single 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, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Howard County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Howard 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 begin the process of getting your Howard County traffic ticket fixed.

Other cases we take on in Howard County, MO include:

• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer
• Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Contact Trusted Howard County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Howard County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up 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 hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.