Criminal Defense Lawyer Florissant, MO. Being arrested and accused of a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties ranging from fines to hours 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 being unable to vote or own a firearm.
Having the right Florissant criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being lowered, if not entirely eliminated, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will develop an intelligent, winning defense strategy made especially for your distinct circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Florissant, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to assist Florissant-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Florissant. We are eager 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 in your corner, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Florissant, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Florissant, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse variety 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 favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Florissant criminal defense lawyers, our firm centers our entire experience around complete, total client satisfaction. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be assured that you can call your Florissant, MO criminal defense lawyer 24/7 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 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, 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 a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think that it is necessary to talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Florissant defense lawyer is the right decision:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at a crime scene and were in no way involved it, it’s safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A rookie or excited 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 the officer. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police leaves no doubt that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could possibly place you under suspicion, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to safeguard your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. Police cannot force you to do anything unless they have a reasonable hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or make you grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these papers, politely decline and ask to speak 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 makes them admissible in court as evidence, so it is critical to know your rights at all times.
- When you have been arrested for a crime. This is the most logical time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Florissant, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, tell them that you do not want to answer any questions without an attorney being present, and call a Florissant criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Florissant, MO
If there’s one thing that Florissant drivers do not want 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 Florissant, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to promote good driving habits, 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 given a traffic ticket in Florissant, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Florissant 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 expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.
A growing number of Florissant drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Florissant traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Florissant traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Florissant, 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 Florissant traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Florissant, MO include:
Contact Experienced Florissant, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to substantial felonies, talk to a skilled Florissant, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to book a free case review. 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 friends and in the community.