Criminal Defense Lawyer Lafayette County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at significant penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Lafayette County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will develop a smart, winning defense strategy made especially 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 veteran Lafayette County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Lafayette County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Lafayette County. We are ready 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Legal Videos
Can Federal Charges Be Reduced Or Dismissed?
Can Federal Charges Be Reduced Or Dismissed? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek, lawyers with Combs Waterkotte, a leading federal criminal defense firm, talk about proffers, probation, and federal …
Should I Hire A Lawyer Experienced In Federal Defense?
Should I Hire A Lawyer Experienced In Federal Defense? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek from the leading federal criminal defense firm Combs Waterkotte discuss the importance of hiring a lawyer with …
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions?
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs from Combs Waterkotte federal criminal defense firm discuss potential penalties related to federal sex crime …
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration?
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration? Andrew Russek, a lawyer with leading federal criminal defense firm Combs Waterkotte, discusses the sex offender registry and federal sex …
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State?
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs of Combs Waterkotte discuss factors that play into a sex crime being classified as federal, rather than …
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges?
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek of Combs Waterkotte discuss the most common federal sex crime charges. Interview Transcript Scott Michael Dunn: Well, let's …
Can Federal Charges Be Reduced Or Dismissed?
Can Federal Charges Be Reduced Or Dismissed? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek, lawyers with Combs Waterkotte, a leading federal criminal defense firm, talk about proffers, probation, and federal …
Should I Hire A Lawyer Experienced In Federal Defense?
Should I Hire A Lawyer Experienced In Federal Defense? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek from the leading federal criminal defense firm Combs Waterkotte discuss the importance of hiring a lawyer with …
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions?
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs from Combs Waterkotte federal criminal defense firm discuss potential penalties related to federal sex crime …
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration?
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration? Andrew Russek, a lawyer with leading federal criminal defense firm Combs Waterkotte, discusses the sex offender registry and federal sex …
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State?
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs of Combs Waterkotte discuss factors that play into a sex crime being classified as federal, rather than …
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges?
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek of Combs Waterkotte discuss the most common federal sex crime charges. Interview Transcript Scott Michael Dunn: Well, let's …
A Complete Lafayette County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Lafayette County, 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 Lafayette 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 call your Lafayette 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 anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to lend an ear 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
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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 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 talk to a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Lafayette County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near 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 see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A rookie or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could make you a suspect, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. 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 bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to ask for 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Lafayette County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Lafayette County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Lafayette County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Lafayette County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lafayette County, MO
If there’s one thing that Lafayette County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Lafayette County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Lafayette County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Lafayette 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 degree 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 usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.
An increasing number of Lafayette County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lafayette County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch Lafayette County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Lafayette County, 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 fixing your Lafayette County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Lafayette County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Lafayette County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Lafayette County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free consultation. Our firm is ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.
