Criminal Defense Lawyer in Laclede County, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Laclede County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to hours 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 restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the right Laclede County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will develop a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made for your own 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 veteran Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Laclede County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. 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-strings-attached initial consultations. If you are facing criminal charges and want to put the attorneys at Combs Waterkotte to work for you, give us a call 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 Complete Laclede County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Laclede County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide array 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 being decided 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 be 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 dedicated line to your attorney to lend an ear in your time of need.
When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you are ever questioned by the police, you may believe 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 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 move to make:
- 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 watch what you say, 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 take your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to 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 not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel 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 limits their power to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and ask 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 ask for 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 Laclede 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 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 unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Laclede County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets 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 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 indirectly 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally 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 window you could be facing stiffer penalties.
An increasing 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 knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Laclede County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 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 start the process of getting your Laclede County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Laclede County, MO include:
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- DWI Attorney
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
Contact Seasoned Laclede County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned 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 review of your case. Our firm is here to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.