Criminal Defense Lawyer Independence, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the ideal Independence criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, 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 circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Independence, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Independence-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges reduce 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 Independence. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Jackson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jackson County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Independence, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Independence, 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
Finding the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Independence criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can call your Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a direct line to your attorney to be a friendly listener in your time of need.
When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you are ever questioned by the police, you may believe 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 entirely possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Independence defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime 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. An inexperienced or excited officer could see your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request 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 were involved, and make sure what you tell the police emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit 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 forms, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Independence, 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 interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a Independence criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Independence, MO
If there’s one thing that Independence drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Independence, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Independence, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Independence 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Independence drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Independence traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all its cases, even minor 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Independence traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Independence, 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 Independence traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Independence, MO include:
Contact Trusted Independence, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.
