Criminal Defense Lawyer Oak Grove, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a traffic ticket 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 facing substantial penalties ranging from fines to time spent performing community service to even time in jail. 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 right Oak Grove criminal defense lawyer representing you in front of a judge can your charges being lowered, if not completely dropped, and having to face these punishments. You need a lawyer who gives your case the best in personal care and attention, who will plan out a smart, successful defense strategy custom-made for your own situation, and do everything in their power to minimize—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Oak Grove, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Oak Grove-area citizens of all kinds 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 unmatched among criminal defense lawyers in Oak Grove. We are ready 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, give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch with us online today.
Legal Videos

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Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …

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Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …

How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.

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Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …

Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
A Complete Oak Grove, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The knowledgeable Oak Grove, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide variety of case types and criminal charges, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Assault/Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges
Finding the right lawyer can be the difference between your case going in your way and losing your rights and freedoms. In contrast with other Oak Grove 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 call your Oak Grove, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to talk about the facts of your case, legal strategy, 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 listen and understand you 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 the right thing, you will be fine and they will not give you any more trouble. However, this situation happens rarely, if ever, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to talk to a veteran St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is entirely possible that you may not think you need 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 Oak Grove defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- 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 safe to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch your mouth, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are looking for witnesses in the first place. A younger or overzealous officer could take your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. 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, discuss what you saw and how you fit into the situation, and make sure what you tell 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 something. Police cannot compel you to do anything unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily limits their power to get search warrants or require you to grant access to personal data. However, 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 bloodstream. If the police request that you sign one of these forms, politely say no and ask to talk with a lawyer. Voluntarily allowing the police to get 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 Oak Grove, MO. If you are ever actually detained 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 Oak Grove criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Jackson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jackson County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Oak Grove, MO
If there’s one thing that Oak Grove drivers do not like to see in their rear-view mirror, it’s the distinctive sight of police sirens pulling them over for a moving violation. Motorists all around Oak Grove, MO know that local municipal law enforcement uses traffic tickets not to keep roads safe, but sometimes as additional revenue sources (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 Oak Grove, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Oak Grove traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 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 facing stiffer penalties.
Many Oak Grove drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Oak Grove traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to all 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, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Oak Grove traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Oak Grove, MO include:
- Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
Contact Experienced Oak Grove, 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 serious felonies, talk to a knowledgeable Oak Grove, MO criminal defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free review of your case. 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 family and friends.

