Criminal Defense Lawyer in Benton, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Benton, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be looking at substantial penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. In addition, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Benton criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal care and attention, who will plan out an intelligent, successful defense strategy custom-made for your unique circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Benton-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Benton. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Scott County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Scott County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Benton, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a wide array 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 be the difference between your case being decided in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Benton criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can call your Benton, 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 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 what they want to hear, you will be all right 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 talk to a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Benton defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s fine 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 looking for witnesses to begin with. A rookie or overzealous officer could see your account 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 the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could possibly place you under suspicion, it’s a good idea to 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 provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. But, police will occasionally 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 request that you sign one of these documents, politely decline and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to obtain 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 Benton, 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 inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Benton criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Benton, MO
If there’s one thing that Benton 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 Benton, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Benton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Benton traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing harsher penalties.
More and more Benton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Benton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Benton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in Benton, 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 Benton traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Benton, 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
- Criminal Lawyer
Contact Experienced Benton, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Benton, 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 eager to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst friends and in the community.