Criminal Defense Lawyer in Lawrence County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Lawrence County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing substantial penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. 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 correct Lawrence 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 face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will develop a proven, successful defense strategy custom-made for your own circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Lawrence County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Lawrence County-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 unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Lawrence County. We are eager 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 Lawrence County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Lawrence County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Lawrence County 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 talk to your Lawrence County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a direct 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 the right thing, you will be all right and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, 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 think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Lawrence County defense lawyer is the right decision:

• 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 what you say, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A rookie 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 the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard 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 greatly curtails their ability to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. 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 papers, politely refuse and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for them, automatically renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is key 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 Lawrence County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Lawrence County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lawrence County, MO

If there’s one thing that Lawrence County drivers do not want to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Lawrence County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Being written a traffic ticket in Lawrence County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Lawrence County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

Many Lawrence County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lawrence County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down 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. Best of all, our top-notch Lawrence County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Lawrence County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Lawrence County traffic ticket fixed.

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

When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Lawrence County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.