Criminal Defense Lawyer in Maryland Heights, MO
Criminal Defense Lawyer Maryland Heights, MO. Having a criminal charge filed against you, even a small one such as a traffic ticket or driving while intoxicated, can alter someone’s life permanently. Not only will your reputation among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties varying from fines to hours spent performing community service to even time behind bars. Also, if your charges are felonies, if you are convicted your rights as a citizen will be heavily restricted, including a prohibition on voting or owning a firearm.
Having the ideal Maryland Heights criminal defense lawyer representing you in a court of law can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely dropped, and having to suffer these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the ultimate in personal attention and care, who will map out a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made for your distinct situation, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even eliminate—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Maryland Heights-area citizens of all kinds who are facing criminal charges limit the effect they have on their lives, reputations, and freedom. Our standard of providing successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Maryland Heights. 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 to work for you, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact 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 Complete Maryland Heights, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte take a diverse array of case types and criminal charges, including:
- 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 going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Maryland Heights 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 contact your Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, 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 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be all right and they will not give you any more trouble. 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 100% possible that you may not believe you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, but calling one could greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are a few instances where calling a Maryland Heights defense lawyer is the right thing to do:
- When police “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and had nothing at all to do with it, it’s safe 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 in the first place. A younger or excited officer could take your account the wrong way and consider you a prime suspect. If police want your eyewitness account, ask them if you can make an appointment with a detective. This way, you can talk to an attorney, go over what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you say to the police clearly establishes that you were an innocent bystander. If the facts of your case are murky and could lead to you being a person of interest, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- When police want you to sign paperwork. 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 heavily limits their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will from time to time ask you to sign “releases”, which allow them to get blood work or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your bloodstream. 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 good 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 Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights criminal defense lawyer who can help you stand up against charges and accusations.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Maryland Heights, MO
If there’s one thing that Maryland Heights drivers do not want to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the unmistakable sight of police sirens pulling them over for something they did on the roads. Motorists all around Maryland Heights, 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 dwindling property tax base, or indeed does not have a property tax at all).
Getting a traffic ticket in Maryland Heights, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Maryland Heights traffic ticket, you effectively 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at stiffer penalties.
More and more Maryland Heights drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Maryland Heights traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Maryland Heights traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Maryland Heights, 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 getting your Maryland Heights traffic ticket fixed.
Other cases we take on in Maryland Heights, MO include:
- Drug Crimes Lawyer
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- DWI Attorney
- Crime Defense Lawyers
Contact Seasoned Maryland Heights, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, ranging from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to grave felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case. Our firm is here to chat with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-earned reputation amongst family and friends.