Criminal Defense Lawyer in Howell County, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Howell County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently affected, if found guilty you will be looking at significant penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time in jail. Also, 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 correct Howell County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can be what separates your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to face these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal attention and care, who will develop a smart, winning defense strategy custom-made for your own situation, and do all that they can to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.

The experienced Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Howell County-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Howell County. 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 talk to us online today.

A Complete Howell County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The knowledgeable Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse array 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 losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Howell County criminal defense lawyers, our firm places total client satisfaction at the center of our practice. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest easy knowing that you can contact your Howell County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or any other topic. 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 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 a rare occurrence, 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 100% possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Howell County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:

• When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were at the scene of a crime 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 in the first place. A rookie or excited officer could take your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, request if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, discuss what you saw and how you were involved, and make sure what you tell the police clearly establishes that you were just a bystander. If the facts of your case are less obvious and could make you a suspect, 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 genuine suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution provides you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their power to obtain search warrants or force you to grant access to personal data. However, 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 bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these documents, politely decline and ask to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to gain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate reason to ask for 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 obvious time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Howell County, MO. If you are ever arrested 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 Howell County criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Howell County, MO

If there’s one thing that Howell County drivers do not like to see behind them, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Howell County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (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 Howell County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Howell County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

Many Howell County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Howell County 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 tirelessly 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 influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Howell County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 Howell 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 Howell County traffic ticket.

Other cases we take on in Howell 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 Trusted Howell County, 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 Howell County, 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 talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst your community.