Criminal Defense Lawyer Livingston County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Livingston County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will plan out a proven, winning defense strategy custom-made 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 Livingston County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Livingston County-area citizens from all walks of life 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 unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Livingston 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Livingston County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Livingston County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Livingston County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Livingston County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Livingston 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 contact your Livingston County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, 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 believe 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 talk to a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Livingston County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A rookie or excited officer could read your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. 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, go over what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police leaves no doubt that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. But, police will sometimes 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 request that you sign one of these documents, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is key 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 Livingston County, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a Livingston County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Livingston County, MO
If there’s one thing that Livingston 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 Livingston 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 were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being written a traffic ticket in Livingston County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Livingston County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.
An increasing number of Livingston County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Livingston County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Livingston County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Livingston 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 getting your Livingston County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Livingston County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Livingston County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Livingston County, 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 ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.
