Criminal Defense Lawyer in Howard County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Howard County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can change someone’s life forever. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be facing significant 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 being unable to vote or own a firearm.

Having the ideal Howard County criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can your charges being lowered, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will map out a proven, successful defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The veteran Howard County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Howard County-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges minimize 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 Howard County. We are eager 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 contact online today.

A Full-Service Howard County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The skilled Howard County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take 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 be the difference between your case being decided in your favor and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Howard County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you can contact your Howard County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or any other topic. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated line to your attorney to be a friendly listener 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 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 a trusted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.

It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Howard County defense lawyer is the right decision:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s fine to talk to the police. However, you still need to mind your words, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A younger or excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and think that you are a prime suspect. If police want your witness statement, ask them 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 not clear and could make you a suspect, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot order 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 heavily limits their ability to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which allow 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 documents, politely refuse and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get 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 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 Howard County, MO. If you are ever taken into custody by the police, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent, say that you do not want to answer any inquiries without a lawyer by your side, and call a Howard County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Howard County, MO

If there’s one thing that Howard County drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Howard County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic enforcement not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a way to fill city coffers (especially if the municipality you are driving through has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Being given a traffic ticket in Howard County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Howard County traffic ticket, you essentially 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 in general cannot be removed from your driving record for at least 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 Howard County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Howard County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled 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 brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Howard County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Howard County, 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 begin the process of fixing your Howard County traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in Howard County, 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 Seasoned Howard County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a small traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to grave felonies, talk to a skilled Howard County, 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 here to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal charges and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.