Criminal Defense Lawyer in Springfield, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Springfield, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to significant penalties ranging 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 limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.

Having the correct Springfield criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will develop a proven, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Springfield, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Springfield-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Springfield. 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.

A Full-Service Springfield, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Springfield, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide array of case types and criminal charges, such as:

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

Finding 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 Springfield 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 Springfield, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, 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 are ever questioned by the police, you may think 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 speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Springfield defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime and were in no way involved it, it’s logical 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 talking to you in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, go over what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police leaves no doubt that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could make you a suspect, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot order you to do anything unless they have a genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to get search warrants or force you to 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 ask you to sign one of these forms, politely refuse and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Springfield, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any inquiries without an attorney being present, and call a Springfield criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Springfield, MO

If there’s one thing that Springfield 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 Springfield, 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 town you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Being given a traffic ticket in Springfield, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Springfield traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 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 once again during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Springfield drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Springfield traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Springfield traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Springfield, 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 getting your Springfield traffic ticket fixed.

Contact Experienced Springfield, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Springfield, 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 here 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 your community.