Criminal Defense Lawyer in Pettis County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Pettis County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, 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 correct Pettis County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will develop an intelligent, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Pettis County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Pettis County-area citizens from all walks of life 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 unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Pettis 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.

A Full-Service Pettis County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Pettis County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide 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 being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Pettis 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 Pettis 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, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to listen and understand you in your time of need.

When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you are ever questioned by the police, you may believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, 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 veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is 100% possible that you may not believe you should 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 Pettis County defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s safe 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 in the first place. A rookie or overzealous officer could see your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them 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 just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their power to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit 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 papers, politely refuse and ask 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 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 Pettis County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody 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 Pettis County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Pettis County, MO

If there’s one thing that Pettis 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 Pettis County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in Pettis County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Pettis County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

A growing number of Pettis County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Pettis County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Pettis County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Pettis 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 begin the process of getting your Pettis County traffic ticket fixed.

Contact Trusted Pettis County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Pettis County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free review of your case. Our firm is eager 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 your community.