Criminal Defense Lawyer in Shelby County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Shelby County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.

Having the right Shelby County criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will plan out a smart, successful defense strategy tailor-made 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 Shelby County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Shelby County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Shelby County. We are ready 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.

A Complete Shelby County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Shelby County, 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

Choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Shelby County 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 Shelby County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat about 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 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 talk to an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is entirely possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Shelby County defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with the officer. 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 just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could possibly place you under suspicion, you may want to 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 reasonable suspicion 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 require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will occasionally 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 papers, politely say no and ask 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 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Shelby County, 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 inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Shelby County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Shelby County, MO

If there’s one thing that Shelby County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Shelby County, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, 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 levy property tax on homeowners).

Being written a traffic ticket in Shelby County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Shelby County 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 facing 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 a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be facing increased penalties.

A growing number of Shelby County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Shelby County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Shelby County 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 written a traffic ticket in Shelby County, 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 Shelby County traffic ticket.

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

When you have been charged with a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Shelby 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 ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.