Criminal Defense Lawyer in Jefferson County, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Jefferson County, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a seemingly insignificant one such as a moving violation or DWI, can alter someone’s life forever. Not only will your standing among colleagues, friends, and family be permanently changed, if found guilty you will be subject to major penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even jail time. Furthermore, if your charges are felonies, a conviction means your rights as a citizen will be heavily limited, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the right Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, and having to suffer these penalties. You need a lawyer who gives your case the utmost in personal attention and care, who will develop a proven, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your unique circumstances, and do all that they can to minimize—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The experienced Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Jefferson County-area citizens from all walks of life who are looking at criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Jefferson County. 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 on your side, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact online today.
Jefferson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jefferson County and Missouri.
A Full-Service Jefferson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide array 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 be the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Jefferson 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 talk to your Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time, day or night, to chat about the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. Regardless of where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you will have a direct 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 think that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right and they will not hassle you further. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to speak with an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly possible that you may not think that it is necessary to chat with a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the circumstances of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Jefferson County defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When officers “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 what you say, as the police did not directly witness the crime: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses to begin with. A rookie or excited officer could take your statement the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them if you can make an appointment with the officer. This way, you can call an attorney, go over 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 less obvious and could lead to you being a person of interest, you may want to 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 suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution gives you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and greatly sanctions their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police ask you to sign one of these documents, politely decline and request 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 renders them admissible in court as evidence, so it is crucial 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 Jefferson 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 questions without an attorney being present, and call a Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jefferson County, MO
If there’s one thing that Jefferson County drivers do not want to see on their rear bumper, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Jefferson County, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as a secondary revenue stream (especially if the town you were pulled over in has a dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not levy property tax on homeowners).
Being given a traffic ticket in Jefferson County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Jefferson 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 dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Jefferson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jefferson County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Jefferson County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Jefferson County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Jefferson County traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Jefferson County, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation. Our firm is ready to chat with you at any time to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your precious reputation amongst your community.