Criminal Defense Lawyer Laclede County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter 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 ranging 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 the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the ideal Laclede County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, winning defense strategy made especially for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Laclede County-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 unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Laclede County. We are waiting 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
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Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
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St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
A Complete Laclede County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse variety of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Finding the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Laclede County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can contact your Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. 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.
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Protect Your Life
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you ever get in trouble with the police, you may think 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 situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Laclede 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 logical 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 talking to you to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. 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 say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky 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 something. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions 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 allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these papers, politely decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain 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 critical 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 Laclede County, 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 questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Laclede County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Laclede County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Laclede County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Laclede County, MO
If there’s one thing that Laclede County drivers do not like 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 over Laclede County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, 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 given a traffic ticket in Laclede County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Laclede County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing increased penalties.
A growing number of Laclede County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Laclede County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Laclede County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Laclede County, 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 getting your Laclede County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Laclede County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Laclede County, 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 knowledgeable Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. Our firm is eager to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.
