Criminal Defense Lawyer in Benton, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Benton, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.

Having the right Benton criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your own situation, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Benton-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Benton. We are waiting 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 on your side, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Complete Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive 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 make the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Benton criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can call your Benton, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, 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 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 a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is 100% possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Benton defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near 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 looking for witnesses in the first place. An inexperienced or excited officer could see your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police emphasizes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could make you a suspect, you may want to 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 genuine 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 force you to grant access to personal data. However, 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 bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these documents, politely say no and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a good 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 Benton, 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 questions without an attorney being present, and call a Benton criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Benton, MO

If there’s one thing that Benton drivers do not like 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 Benton, MO know that local municipal police departments use 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 Benton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Benton traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

More and more Benton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Benton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Benton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Benton, 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 Benton traffic ticket.

Contact Experienced Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Benton, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review. Our firm is here to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.