Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cape Girardeau, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Cape Girardeau, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Cape Girardeau criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal care and attention, who will plan out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct situation, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Cape Girardeau-area citizens of all kinds 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 unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Cape Girardeau. 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 to work for you, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Cape Girardeau County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cape Girardeau County and Missouri.
A Complete Cape Girardeau, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive variety of case types and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Working with the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, 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 ever get in trouble with the police, you may think that if you “lay low” or say what they want to hear, 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 100% possible that you may not think you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the result of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Cape Girardeau defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. An inexperienced or excited officer could see your statement the wrong way and think that you are a person of interest. 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 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 may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly curtails their ability to obtain 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 want you to sign one of these documents, politely say no and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legal 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Cape Girardeau, MO. If you are ever actually detained by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer in the room, and call a Cape Girardeau criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cape Girardeau, MO
If there’s one thing that Cape Girardeau drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Cape Girardeau, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (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 written a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Cape Girardeau 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.
More and more Cape Girardeau drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cape Girardeau traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure 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 premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Cape Girardeau traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 given a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau, 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 getting your Cape Girardeau traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Cape Girardeau, 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
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Contact Trusted Cape Girardeau, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free consultation. Our firm is ready to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst your community.