Criminal Defense Lawyer Howell County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the ideal Howell County 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 face these penalties. 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 eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Howell County-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Howell County. We are waiting 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to 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.
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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 Howell County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Finding the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Howell 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 contact your Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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
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 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 call a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Howell County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, 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 excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss 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 safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch 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. But, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these papers, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Howell County, 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 interrogation without a lawyer in the room, and call a Howell County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Howell County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Howell County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Howell County, MO
If there’s one thing that Howell County drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Howell County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, 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 levy property tax on homeowners).
Being written a traffic ticket in Howell County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Howell County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 another time during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.
More and more Howell County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Howell County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Howell County 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 Howell County, 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 fixing your Howell County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Howell County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Howell County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Howell 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 here to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.
