Criminal Defense Lawyer Poplar Bluff, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, 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 looking at substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Furthermore, 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 ideal Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will map out a proven, successful defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—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 of all kinds who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Poplar Bluff. We are waiting 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Butler County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Butler County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Poplar Bluff, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take 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 being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Poplar Bluff 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 call your Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, 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 ever get in trouble with the police, you may believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Poplar Bluff defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with 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 rookie or overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign something. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, police will occasionally 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 documents, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 logical 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 questions without an attorney being present, and call a Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Poplar Bluff, MO
If there’s one thing that Poplar Bluff drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Poplar Bluff, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town 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 Poplar Bluff, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Poplar Bluff traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 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 facing increased penalties.
A growing number of Poplar Bluff drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Poplar Bluff traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Poplar Bluff traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Poplar Bluff, MO include:
Contact Experienced Poplar Bluff, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free consultation. Our firm is ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.
