Criminal Defense Lawyer in Johnson County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Johnson County, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties ranging from fines to time 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 the inability to vote or own a firearm.

Having the ideal Johnson County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not entirely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy made especially for your unique circumstances, 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 Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Johnson County-area citizens of all kinds 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 unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Johnson County. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Complete Johnson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive variety 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 being decided in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Johnson County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can contact your Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. No matter where you are, the time of day, 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 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 hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, 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 believe you should call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Johnson County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. 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 were involved, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. But, police will sometimes 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 want you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for them, automatically makes 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 Johnson County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer in the room, and call a Johnson County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Johnson County, MO

If there’s one thing that Johnson County drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Johnson County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality 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 Johnson County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Johnson County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed 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 facing harsher penalties.

Many Johnson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Johnson County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier Johnson County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Johnson County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Johnson County traffic ticket.

Contact Seasoned Johnson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Johnson County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation. Our firm is ready to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.