Criminal Defense Lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Ste. Genevieve 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 permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. Furthermore, 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 correct Ste. Genevieve County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not entirely dropped, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will map out an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially for your unique 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 experienced Ste. Genevieve County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Ste. Genevieve County-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Ste. Genevieve County. We are ready 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, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.

A Full-Service Ste. Genevieve County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Ste. Genevieve County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle 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. Unlike other Ste. Genevieve 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 call your Ste. Genevieve County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, you will have a direct 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 think that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is not always the case, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is 100% possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Ste. Genevieve County defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s safe 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 in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could see your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them 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 say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could possibly place you under suspicion, you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign something. 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 curtails their ability to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. But, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these documents, politely say no and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a good reason to request 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Ste. Genevieve 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 in the room, and call a Ste. Genevieve County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ste. Genevieve County, MO

If there’s one thing that Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being written a traffic ticket in Ste. Genevieve County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Ste. Genevieve County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

More and more Ste. Genevieve County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ste. Genevieve County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Ste. Genevieve County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Ste. Genevieve 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 begin the process of fixing your Ste. Genevieve County traffic ticket.

Contact Experienced Ste. Genevieve County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Ste. Genevieve 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 here to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.