Criminal Defense Lawyer Shelby County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, 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 looking at major penalties varying 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 being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Shelby County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not completely 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, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Shelby County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Shelby County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Shelby County. We are waiting 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
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A Full-Service Shelby County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Shelby County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case being decided in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Shelby County 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 contact your Shelby County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day 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 direct line to your attorney to lend an ear in your time of need.
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Protect Your Life
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you are ever questioned by the police, you may believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Shelby County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime 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 see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea 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 reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their ability to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. However, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests 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 say no and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to ask for 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 Shelby County, MO. If you are ever actually detained 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 Shelby County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Shelby County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Shelby County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Shelby County, MO
If there’s one thing that Shelby County drivers do not like 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 Shelby County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (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 Shelby County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Shelby County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be facing 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 a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.
Many Shelby County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Shelby County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched 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 affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Shelby County 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 Shelby County, 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 begin the process of fixing your Shelby County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Shelby County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Shelby County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Shelby County, 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 charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.
