Criminal Defense Lawyer in Madison County, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Madison County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties ranging from fines to time 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 limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the right Madison County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. 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 unique situation, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Madison County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Madison County-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Madison 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, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Madison County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Madison County and Missouri.
A Complete Madison County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Madison 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Madison County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can call your Madison County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of 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 ever get in trouble with 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 a rare occurrence, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Madison County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s fine 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 to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, 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 possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. However, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these forms, politely decline and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to request them, automatically renders 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Madison 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 interrogation without a lawyer in the room, and call a Madison County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Madison County, MO
If there’s one thing that Madison County drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Madison County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses 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 have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Madison County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Madison County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing 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 at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
More and more Madison County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Madison County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our top-notch Madison County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Madison County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Madison County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Madison 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
Contact Experienced Madison County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Madison 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 here to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.