Criminal Defense Lawyer Pike County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the ideal Pike County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will develop a smart, winning 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 veteran Pike County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Pike County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Pike County. We are eager 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Pike County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Pike County and Missouri.
A Complete Pike County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Pike County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive array of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Pike County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can contact your Pike County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, 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 the right thing, you will be fine 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 speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Pike County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you in the first place. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could see your account 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 a detective. 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 clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their ability to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. But, police will sometimes 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 papers, politely say no and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal 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 Pike County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any interrogation without a lawyer by your side, and call a Pike County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Pike County, MO
If there’s one thing that Pike County drivers do not want 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 Pike County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, 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 Pike County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Pike County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 greatly 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 once again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Pike County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Pike County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Pike County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 Pike County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Pike County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Pike County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Pike County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Pike County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. 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 family and friends.
