Criminal Defense Lawyer Jefferson County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing substantial penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the ideal Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct situation, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Jefferson County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges limit 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 Jefferson County. 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Jefferson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jefferson County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Jefferson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse variety 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 be the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Jefferson County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can contact your Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, 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 lend an ear 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 the right thing, you will be all right and they will not hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, 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 wholly possible that you may not believe you should chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Jefferson County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 to begin with. A younger or excited officer could see your statement 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 the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, 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 possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. Police cannot order 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 heavily sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. But, 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 ask you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a good 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Jefferson County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jefferson County, MO
If there’s one thing that Jefferson County drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Jefferson County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being given a traffic ticket in Jefferson County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Jefferson 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 staring down 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 once again during this window you could be looking at stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Jefferson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jefferson County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Jefferson County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Jefferson 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 begin the process of getting your Jefferson County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Jefferson County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Jefferson County, 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 substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case. Our firm is ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.
