Criminal Defense Lawyer Macon County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the correct Macon County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will develop a proven, winning defense strategy made especially for your own 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 veteran Macon County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Macon 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 offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Macon 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Macon County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Macon County and Missouri.
A Complete Macon County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Macon County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take 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 losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Macon 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 Macon County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, 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 think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this is a rare occurrence, 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 you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Macon 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 safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could see your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. 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 fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes 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 compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these papers, politely refuse 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 key to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Macon County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Macon County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Macon County, MO
If there’s one thing that Macon 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 around Macon County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, 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 levy property tax on homeowners).
Getting a traffic ticket in Macon County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Macon County traffic ticket, you essentially 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be facing stiffer penalties.
Many Macon County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Macon County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Macon 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 written a traffic ticket in Macon 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 Macon County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Macon County, MO include:
Contact Experienced Macon County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Macon County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free case review. Our firm is eager to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.
