Criminal Defense Lawyer in Vandalia, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Vandalia, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.

Having the right Vandalia criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will develop a proven, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Vandalia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Vandalia-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Vandalia. 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 talk to us online today.

A Complete Vandalia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Vandalia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide variety 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 going in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Vandalia 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 contact your Vandalia, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to talk about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, 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 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 fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call a trusted 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 circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Vandalia defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were near the scene of a crime 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 talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or excited officer could see your account the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, 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 fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to 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, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, 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 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 logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Vandalia, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Vandalia criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Vandalia, MO

If there’s one thing that Vandalia drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all over Vandalia, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, 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 levy property tax on homeowners).

Getting a traffic ticket in Vandalia, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Vandalia traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly 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 again during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.

Many Vandalia drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Vandalia traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Vandalia traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Vandalia, 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 start the process of getting your Vandalia traffic ticket fixed.

Contact Seasoned Vandalia, 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 seasoned Vandalia, 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 ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.