Criminal Defense Lawyer Smithville, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, 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 Smithville criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will map out a proven, successful defense strategy custom-made for your distinct 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 Smithville, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Smithville-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 providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Smithville. We are ready 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 talk to us online today.
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A Complete Smithville, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Smithville, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Smithville 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 contact your Smithville, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, 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 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 speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Smithville defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime 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 see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. An inexperienced or excited officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. 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 leaves no doubt 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 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 gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. However, police will from time to time 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 want you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting 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 Smithville, MO. If you are ever taken into custody 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 in the room, and call a Smithville criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Platte County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Platte County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Smithville, MO
If there’s one thing that Smithville drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Smithville, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being written a traffic ticket in Smithville, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Smithville 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Smithville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Smithville traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor 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 affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Smithville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Smithville, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Smithville traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Smithville, MO include:
- Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer
- Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
- Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans
- Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer
- Traffic Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
Contact Seasoned Smithville, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Smithville, 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 here to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.

