Criminal Defense Lawyer Independence, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the correct Independence criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will develop an intelligent, winning defense strategy custom-made for your unique situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Independence, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Independence-area citizens of all kinds 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 unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Independence. 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 in your corner, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with 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 Complete Independence, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Independence, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take 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 make 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 places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can contact your Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter 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 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 speak with a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Independence defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s safe 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 rookie 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 murky and could make you a suspect, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. 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 limits their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, police will sometimes 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 decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to request them, automatically makes 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Independence, MO. If you are ever taken into custody 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 defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Independence, MO
If there’s one thing that Independence drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Independence, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you are driving through 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 nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Independence 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing increased penalties.
Many Independence drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Independence traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Independence traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Independence, 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 fixing your Independence traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Independence, MO include:
Contact Experienced Independence, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free case review. Our firm is here to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.