Criminal Defense Lawyer Maryland Heights, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Maryland Heights criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will develop a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made for your unique 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 Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Maryland Heights-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges limit 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 Maryland Heights. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
A Complete Maryland Heights, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive array of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Finding the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Maryland Heights criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can talk to your Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. 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.
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 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 greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Maryland Heights defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s logical 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 excited officer could read your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request 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 emphasizes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky 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 paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion 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 get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, 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 bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these documents, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Maryland Heights, 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 inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Maryland Heights criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Maryland Heights, MO
If there’s one thing that Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality 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 Maryland Heights, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Maryland Heights traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.
A growing number of Maryland Heights drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Maryland Heights traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor 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, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Maryland Heights traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Maryland Heights, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Maryland Heights, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our firm is ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.
