Criminal Defense Lawyer Jackson, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Jackson criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, 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 plan out a proven, successful defense strategy made especially for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Jackson, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Jackson-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Jackson. We are eager 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Cape Girardeau County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cape Girardeau County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Jackson, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Jackson, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide array 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 favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Jackson criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can contact your Jackson, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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 what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, 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 think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Jackson defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. 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 say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. However, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police ask you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a good 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Jackson, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Jackson criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jackson, MO
If there’s one thing that Jackson drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Jackson, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality 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 Jackson, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Jackson traffic ticket, you essentially 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.
More and more Jackson drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jackson traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small 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, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Jackson traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Jackson, 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 start the process of fixing your Jackson traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Jackson, MO include:
Contact Trusted Jackson, 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 serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Jackson, 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 talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.