Criminal Defense Lawyer Sikeston, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Sikeston, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation 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 subject to significant penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.

Having the correct Sikeston criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will plan out a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made for your distinct circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Sikeston, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Sikeston-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 providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Sikeston. 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 talk to us online today.

A Complete Sikeston, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Sikeston, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Sikeston 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 Sikeston, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, you will have a direct 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 what they want to hear, you will be fine 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 call an experienced 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 instances where calling a Sikeston defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• 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 talking to you in the first place. A rookie or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police leaves no doubt that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, you should 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 hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. But, police will sometimes 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 papers, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain 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 key to know your rights at all times.
• When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Sikeston, 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 Sikeston criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Sikeston, MO

If there’s one thing that Sikeston 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 around Sikeston, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in Sikeston, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Sikeston traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be staring down 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 once again during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

An increasing number of Sikeston drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Sikeston traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure 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 premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Sikeston traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Sikeston, 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 Sikeston traffic ticket fixed.

Other cases we take on in Sikeston, MO include:

Contact Trusted Sikeston, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Sikeston, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. Our firm is eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.