Criminal Defense Lawyer St. Joseph, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer St. Joseph, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing major penalties ranging from fines to time 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 limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.

Having the correct St. Joseph criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates 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 develop a proven, winning defense strategy made especially 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 St. Joseph, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help St. Joseph-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in St. Joseph. We are eager to talk to you about your case today and offer free, no-obligation 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.

A Full-Service St. Joseph, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The experienced St. Joseph, 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

Working with the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a St. Joseph defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. 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 clearly establishes that you were just a 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 safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign something. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits their power to obtain search warrants or force you to 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 request that you sign one of these papers, politely decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to request 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in St. Joseph, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any interrogation without an attorney being present, and call a St. Joseph criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In St. Joseph, MO

If there’s one thing that St. Joseph drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around St. Joseph, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in St. Joseph, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your St. Joseph traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

An increasing number of St. Joseph drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their St. Joseph traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all 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, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional St. Joseph traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in St. Joseph, MO include:

Contact Trusted St. Joseph, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned St. Joseph, 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 talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.