Criminal Defense Lawyer Poplar Bluff, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially for your distinct situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Poplar Bluff-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Poplar Bluff. 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 to work for you, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Legal Videos

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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 …

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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 …

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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.

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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 Complete Poplar Bluff, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive 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 be the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can call your Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to lend an ear 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 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 an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Poplar Bluff defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. An inexperienced or excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. 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 an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, you should 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 greatly limits their ability to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. 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 system. If the police want you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting 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 critical 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 Poplar Bluff, 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 inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Butler County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Butler County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Poplar Bluff, MO
If there’s one thing that Poplar Bluff drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Poplar Bluff, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (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 Poplar Bluff, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Poplar Bluff traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity 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 generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Poplar Bluff drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Poplar Bluff traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down 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 error. Best of all, our top-notch Poplar Bluff traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Poplar Bluff, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff, 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 talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.

