Criminal Defense Lawyer in Columbia, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Columbia, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, 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 right Columbia criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being lowered, 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 develop an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially for your unique situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Columbia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Columbia-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges limit 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 Columbia. 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Complete Columbia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Columbia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide array of case types and criminal charges, including:

• 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 being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Columbia 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 Columbia, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a direct line to your attorney to lend an ear in your time of need.

When Should I Call A Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you ever get in trouble with the police, you may believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be fine 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 call an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is wholly possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Columbia defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime 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 witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you in the first place. A younger 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 a detective. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could possibly place you under suspicion, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign something. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. However, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police ask you to sign one of these forms, politely say no and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain 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 Columbia, 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 inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Columbia criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Columbia, MO

If there’s one thing that Columbia drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Columbia, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Getting a traffic ticket in Columbia, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Columbia traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

More and more Columbia drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Columbia traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Columbia traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Columbia, 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 getting your Columbia traffic ticket fixed.

Contact Experienced Columbia, 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 substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Columbia, 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 hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.