Criminal Defense Lawyer California, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties ranging from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. 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 right California criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not entirely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy tailor-made 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 veteran California, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help California-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 unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in California. We are waiting 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 contact online today.
Moniteau County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Moniteau County and Missouri.
A Full-Service California, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable California, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse 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 favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other California 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 California, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat 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 present circumstances, 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 think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, you will be all right 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 an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a California 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 had nothing at all to do with 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. An inexperienced or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. 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 clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to 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 suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. However, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which permit 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 decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal reason to ask for 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 California, 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 a lawyer in the room, and call a California criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In California, MO
If there’s one thing that California drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around California, 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 municipality you are driving through has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being written a traffic ticket in California, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your California 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
More and more California drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their California traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch California traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in California, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your California traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in California, MO include:
Contact Trusted California, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled California, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free review of your case. Our firm is eager to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.
