Criminal Defense Lawyer Jackson County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties ranging from fines to hours 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 being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Jackson County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will develop a proven, winning defense strategy made especially for your own situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Jackson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Jackson County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Jackson County. We are ready 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, give us a call 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 Full-Service Jackson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Jackson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive variety of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Jackson 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 Jackson County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss 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 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 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 a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Jackson County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 see your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police leaves no doubt 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 safeguard 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 provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. However, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these documents, 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 legitimate reason to request them, automatically makes them admissible in court as evidence, so it is key 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 Jackson County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Jackson County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jackson County, MO
If there’s one thing that Jackson County drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Jackson County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality 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 Jackson County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Jackson County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
More and more Jackson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jackson County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure 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 affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Jackson County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Jackson 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 start the process of getting your Jackson County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Jackson County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Jackson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Jackson County, 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 talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.