Criminal Defense Lawyer in Sedalia, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Sedalia, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.

Having the ideal Sedalia 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 penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will plan out a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made for your unique circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Sedalia-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges reduce 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 Sedalia. We are eager to talk to you about your case today and offer free, no-obligation 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 talk to us online today.

A Full-Service Sedalia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The experienced Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive array of case types and criminal charges, including:

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

Choosing the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Sedalia criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can call your Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, 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 believe 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 an experienced 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 vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Sedalia defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s safe 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. An inexperienced or excited officer could see 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, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell the police emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky 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 compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly limits 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 permit 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 speak 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 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Sedalia, 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 Sedalia criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Sedalia, MO

If there’s one thing that Sedalia drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Sedalia, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Getting a traffic ticket in Sedalia, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Sedalia traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally 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 stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Sedalia drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Sedalia traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Sedalia traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 issued a traffic ticket in Sedalia, 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 begin the process of fixing your Sedalia traffic ticket.

Contact Seasoned Sedalia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Sedalia, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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.