Criminal Defense Lawyer in Ripley County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Ripley County, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, 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 ideal Ripley County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out a proven, winning defense strategy made especially for your unique situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Ripley County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Ripley County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Ripley County. We are waiting 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 in your corner, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.

A Complete Ripley County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Ripley County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide variety 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 being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Ripley County 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 Ripley County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to chat 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 direct 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 talk to an experienced 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 Ripley County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, 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 rookie or excited officer could see 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 the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, go over what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police emphasizes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, you should 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 reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their power to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police want you to sign one of these papers, politely say no and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get 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 key 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 Ripley County, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any interrogation without a lawyer in the room, and call a Ripley County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ripley County, MO

If there’s one thing that Ripley County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Ripley County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).

Being given a traffic ticket in Ripley County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Ripley County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity 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 generally cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

More and more Ripley County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ripley County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Ripley County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Ripley 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 start the process of fixing your Ripley County traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in Ripley County, MO include:

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

Contact Experienced Ripley County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Ripley County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review. Our firm is ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.