Criminal Defense Lawyer Plattsburg, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the ideal Plattsburg criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will plan out a proven, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your unique circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Plattsburg, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Plattsburg-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Plattsburg. We are eager 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
Clinton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clinton County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Plattsburg, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Plattsburg, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide 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 favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Plattsburg 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 talk to your Plattsburg, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, 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 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 not always the case, 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 you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Plattsburg defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved 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 looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or excited officer could see your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, 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 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 lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time 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 ask you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to ask for them, automatically makes 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Plattsburg, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Plattsburg criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Plattsburg, MO
If there’s one thing that Plattsburg drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Plattsburg, 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 dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Plattsburg, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Plattsburg 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 dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck 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 looking at increased penalties.
More and more Plattsburg drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Plattsburg traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge 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 brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Plattsburg traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Plattsburg, 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 Plattsburg traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Plattsburg, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Plattsburg, 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 Plattsburg, 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 chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.