Criminal Defense Lawyer Joplin, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, 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 right Joplin criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. 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 circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—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 assist Joplin-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize 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 Joplin. We are eager 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Jasper County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jasper County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Joplin, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Joplin, 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
Choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Joplin criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can talk to your Joplin, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, 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 the right thing, you will be fine and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Joplin defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s fine 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 read your account the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss 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 an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. 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 system. If the police ask you to sign one of these forms, politely decline and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Joplin, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer in the room, 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 want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Joplin, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Joplin, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Joplin traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 generally cannot be struck 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.
Many Joplin drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Joplin traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Joplin 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 written a traffic ticket in Joplin, 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 Joplin traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Joplin, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Joplin, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Joplin, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review. 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-earned reputation amongst your community.
