Criminal Defense Lawyer in Centralia, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Centralia, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.

Having the right Centralia criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, winning defense strategy custom-made for your unique situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Centralia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Centralia-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Centralia. 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Full-Service Centralia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Centralia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, such as:

• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Assault/Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges

Finding the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Centralia criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can call your Centralia, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss 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 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 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 a rare occurrence, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is wholly 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 scenarios where calling a Centralia defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. 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 emphasizes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their ability to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. However, police will occasionally 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 want you to sign one of these papers, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Centralia, 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 interrogation without a lawyer by your side, and call a Centralia criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Centralia, MO

If there’s one thing that Centralia drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Centralia, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the town you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being written a traffic ticket in Centralia, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Centralia traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

Many Centralia drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Centralia traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Centralia 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 Centralia, 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 Centralia traffic ticket.

Contact Trusted Centralia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Centralia, 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 ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst friends and in the community.