Criminal Defense Lawyer in Carthage, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Carthage, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to time spent performing community service to even jail time. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.

Having the right Carthage criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge 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 best in personal care and attention, who will develop a proven, winning defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Carthage, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Carthage-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Carthage. 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 get in touch with us online today.

A Full-Service Carthage, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Carthage, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a extensive array of case types and criminal charges, including:

• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Assault/Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges

Finding the right lawyer can make the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Carthage 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 talk to your Carthage, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, the time of day, 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 ever get in trouble with 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 give you any more trouble. However, this is not always the case, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is entirely possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Carthage defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When investigators “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 witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A younger or excited officer could see your statement 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 make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
• When police want you to sign paperwork. 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 greatly curtails their power to get search warrants or force you to grant access to personal information. However, police will occasionally ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police want 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 good 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Carthage, MO. If you are ever arrested by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, explain that you do not want to answer any questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Carthage criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Carthage, MO

If there’s one thing that Carthage 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 Carthage, 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 town you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Getting a traffic ticket in Carthage, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Carthage traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

A growing number of Carthage drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Carthage traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier Carthage 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 given a traffic ticket in Carthage, 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 Carthage traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in Carthage, 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 Experienced Carthage, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a seasoned Carthage, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our firm is ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.