Criminal Defense Lawyer in DeKalb County, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer DeKalb County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to substantial penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the ideal DeKalb County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, 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, winning defense strategy made especially for your unique situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced DeKalb County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist DeKalb County-area citizens from all walks of life 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 DeKalb County. We are eager 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, call us at (314) 900-HELP or talk to us online today.
DeKalb County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in DeKalb County and Missouri.
A Full-Service DeKalb County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable DeKalb County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a extensive variety 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 make the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other DeKalb County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can contact your DeKalb County, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 to discuss the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your current situation, you will have a dedicated 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, 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 wholly possible that you may not think you need to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the result of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a DeKalb County defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at 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 witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could take your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss 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 just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear 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 paperwork. 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 heavily sanctions 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 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 forms, politely decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get 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 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 DeKalb 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 inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a DeKalb County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In DeKalb County, MO
If there’s one thing that DeKalb County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around DeKalb County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, 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).
Getting a traffic ticket in DeKalb County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your DeKalb County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 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 looking at increased penalties.
An increasing number of DeKalb County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their DeKalb County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier DeKalb County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in DeKalb 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 getting your DeKalb County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in DeKalb County, MO include:
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- DWI Attorney
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
Contact Trusted DeKalb County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for rolling a stop sign to serious felonies, talk to a skilled DeKalb 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 here to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.