Criminal Defense Lawyer Wayne County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties ranging from fines to hours 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 the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Wayne County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will plan out a smart, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Wayne County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Wayne County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce 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 Wayne County. 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 get in touch with us online today.
Wayne County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Wayne County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Wayne County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Wayne County, 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 be the difference between your case being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Wayne County criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can call your Wayne County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. No matter where you are, what time it is, 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 think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this is not always the case, 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 100% possible that you may not think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Wayne County defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, 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 in the first place. A younger or excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect 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 grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their power to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and request 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 critical 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 Wayne County, 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 Wayne County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Wayne County, MO
If there’s one thing that Wayne County drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Wayne County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Wayne County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Wayne County 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 looking at 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 a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Wayne County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Wayne County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 premier Wayne County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Wayne County, 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 fixing your Wayne County traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Wayne County, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Wayne County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Wayne County, 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 any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.