Criminal Defense Lawyer Laclede County, 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 reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. In addition, 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 correct Laclede County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, successful defense strategy made especially for your distinct circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Laclede County-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 Laclede 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Laclede County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Laclede County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Laclede County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Laclede County 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 talk to your Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a direct line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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 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 call an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% 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 scenarios where calling a Laclede County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or excited officer could read your account the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, ask them 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 emphasizes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could possibly place you under suspicion, you may want 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 reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. However, police will occasionally 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 documents, 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 legal reason to ask for 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 Laclede County, 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 Laclede County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Laclede County, MO
If there’s one thing that Laclede County drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Laclede County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Laclede County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Laclede County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be subject to 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 unequaled legal intelligence 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, 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 premier Laclede County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Laclede 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 fixing your Laclede County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Laclede County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Laclede County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial 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 book a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.
