Criminal Defense Lawyer in Joplin, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Joplin, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.

Having the correct Joplin criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your unique circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Joplin, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Joplin-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Joplin. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Full-Service Joplin, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The experienced Joplin, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle 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 being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Joplin 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 Joplin, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of 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 think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, 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 speak with an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is entirely possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Joplin defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. An inexperienced or excited officer could read your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. However, police will occasionally 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 decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing 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 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 Joplin, 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 inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Joplin criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Joplin, MO

If there’s one thing that Joplin drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Joplin, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, 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 Joplin, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Joplin traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general 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 looking at stiffer penalties.

More and more Joplin drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Joplin traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier Joplin traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 Joplin, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Joplin traffic ticket fixed.

Other cases we take on in Joplin, MO include:

• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
• Violent Crime Lawyer

Contact Trusted Joplin, 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 Joplin, 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 ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.