Criminal Defense Lawyer in Columbia, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Columbia, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be subject to significant 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 limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.

Having the ideal Columbia criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will plan out a proven, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Columbia, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Columbia-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit 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 Columbia. 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 get in touch with us online today.

A Complete Columbia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Columbia, 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

Choosing 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 Columbia 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 Columbia, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, 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 are ever questioned by the police, you may think that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, 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 speak with a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is 100% possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Columbia defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When officers “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved it, 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 excited officer could read 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 the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you say to the police emphasizes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could make you a suspect, 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 reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily curtails their ability to get search warrants or make you grant access to personal data. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these forms, politely say no and request 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 key 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 Columbia, 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 questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Columbia criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Columbia, MO

If there’s one thing that Columbia drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Columbia, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Being written a traffic ticket in Columbia, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Columbia traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

Many Columbia drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Columbia traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor 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, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Columbia traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Columbia, 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 Columbia traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in Columbia, 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 Trusted Columbia, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Columbia, 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 here to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your precious reputation amongst family and friends.