Criminal Defense Lawyer in Independence, MO

Criminal Defense Lawyer Independence, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a minor one such as a moving violation or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life for good. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be looking at major penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including the inability to vote or own a firearm.

Having the correct Independence criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, 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 plan out a smart, winning defense strategy tailor-made 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 experienced Independence, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Independence-area citizens from all walks of life who are facing criminal charges reduce the effect they have on their reputation, freedoms, and lives. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unrivalled among criminal defense lawyers in Independence. 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.

A Full-Service Independence, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer

The experienced Independence, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:

• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Assault/Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges

Working with the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being decided in your favor and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Independence 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 Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to chat about the facts of your case, legal strategy, or anything else. No matter where you are, the time of day, or your present circumstances, you will have a dedicated 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 not always the case, 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 entirely possible that you may not think you need to call a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could vastly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few scenarios where calling a Independence defense lawyer is the right move to make:

• When investigators “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 mind your words, 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 overzealous officer could read your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. 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 tell the police leaves no doubt that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are not clear and could lead to you being a person of interest, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
• When police want you to sign a document. Police cannot compel 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 greatly limits their power to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will occasionally 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 want you to sign one of these forms, politely decline and request to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to obtain access to these records, even if they did not have a legitimate 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 undoubtable time you need a criminal defense lawyer in Independence, 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 questions without a lawyer by your side, and call a Independence criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Independence, MO

If there’s one thing that Independence drivers do not like to see on their rear bumper, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all over Independence, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic enforcement not to promote good driving habits, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (especially if the municipality you were pulled over in has a declining property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).

Being given a traffic ticket in Independence, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Independence traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing increased penalties.

A growing number of Independence drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Independence traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Independence traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Independence, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Independence traffic ticket.

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

When you have been charged with a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Independence, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free case review. Our firm is ready to talk with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal accusations and keep your hard-won reputation amongst friends and in the community.