Criminal Defense Lawyer Monroe County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. 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 right Monroe County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will develop a proven, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique 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 veteran Monroe County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Monroe County-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Monroe County. We are waiting 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
A Full-Service Monroe County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Monroe County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive 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 going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Monroe 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 talk to your Monroe County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to lend an ear in your time of need.
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Protect Your Life
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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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 call a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary 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 Monroe County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s fine 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 looking for witnesses in the first place. A rookie or excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky 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 force 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 heavily curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. However, police will from time to time 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 papers, politely decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Monroe 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 inquiries without an attorney being present, and call a Monroe County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Monroe County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Monroe County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Monroe County, MO
If there’s one thing that Monroe County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Monroe County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being written a traffic ticket in Monroe County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Monroe 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.
Many Monroe County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Monroe County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small 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, 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 exceptional Monroe County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Monroe 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 Monroe County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Monroe County, MO include:
Contact Trusted Monroe County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a skilled Monroe County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.
