Criminal Defense Lawyer Ray County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, 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 right Ray County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will develop a smart, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your unique situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Ray County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Ray County-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Ray County. 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 get in touch with us online today.
Ray County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Ray County and Missouri.
A Complete Ray County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Ray County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive variety 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 favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Ray 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 call your Ray County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, 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 hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely 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 scenarios where calling a Ray County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s fine 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. A rookie or excited 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, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, 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 should 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 reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their ability to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. But, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these forms, politely decline 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Ray 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 Ray County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ray County, MO
If there’s one thing that Ray County drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Ray County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Ray County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Ray County 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.
More and more Ray County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ray County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Ray County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Ray 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 start the process of getting your Ray County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Ray County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Ray County, 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 substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Ray County, 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 ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.
