Criminal Defense Lawyer Moniteau County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the correct Moniteau County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, 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, successful defense strategy custom-made for your own situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Moniteau County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Moniteau County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Moniteau County. We are ready 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Moniteau County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Moniteau County and Missouri.
A Complete Moniteau County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Moniteau County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Moniteau 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 Moniteau County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated 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 the right thing, you will be fine 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 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Moniteau County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could see your account the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request 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 leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. 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 system. If the police ask you to sign one of these documents, politely refuse and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing 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 crucial 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 Moniteau County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a Moniteau County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Moniteau County, MO
If there’s one thing that Moniteau 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 around Moniteau County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being written a traffic ticket in Moniteau County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Moniteau County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged 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 subject to stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Moniteau County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Moniteau County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Moniteau 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 Moniteau 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 getting your Moniteau County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Moniteau County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Moniteau 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 Moniteau 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 ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.