Criminal Defense Lawyer Washington, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties varying from fines to hours 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 being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Washington criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Washington, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Washington-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Washington. We are waiting 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
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A Complete Washington, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Washington, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Washington criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can contact your Washington, 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 dedicated line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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 what they want to hear, 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 talk to a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Washington defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were just passing through, it’s safe 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 looking for witnesses to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss 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 murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot force 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 greatly limits their ability to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work 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 request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is crucial 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 Washington, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Washington criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Franklin County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Franklin County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Washington, MO
If there’s one thing that Washington drivers do not want 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 around Washington, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Being written a traffic ticket in Washington, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Washington traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
An increasing number of Washington drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Washington traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen 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 reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Washington traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Washington, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Washington traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Washington, MO include:
Contact Experienced Washington, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to serious felonies, talk to a seasoned Washington, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free case review. Our firm is here to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.

