Criminal Defense Lawyer Springfield, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Springfield, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.

Having the ideal Springfield criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will map out an intelligent, successful defense strategy custom-made for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Springfield, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Springfield-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Springfield. 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 to work for you, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.

A Complete Springfield, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Springfield, 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 be the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Springfield 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 Springfield, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, you will have a direct line to your attorney to lend an ear in your time of need.

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 give you any more trouble. 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 wholly possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Springfield defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or excited officer could take your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, 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 say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to 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 grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood tests 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 talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to request them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is critical 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 Springfield, 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 in the room, and call a Springfield criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Springfield, MO

If there’s one thing that Springfield drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Springfield, 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 declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in Springfield, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Springfield traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

A growing number of Springfield drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Springfield traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch Springfield traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Springfield, 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 Springfield traffic ticket fixed.

Other cases we take on in Springfield, MO include:

Contact Trusted Springfield, 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 serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Springfield, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation. Our firm is eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.