Criminal Defense Lawyer Plattsburg, MO. Getting charged with a crime, even a small one such as a moving violation or DWI, can change someone’s life permanently. Not only will your standing among friends, family, and colleagues be permanently soiled, if found guilty you will be facing significant penalties ranging from fines to hours 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 the inability to vote or own a firearm.
Having the correct Plattsburg criminal defense lawyer representing you in the courtoroom can make the difference between your charges being reduced, if not completely eliminated, 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 proven, successful defense strategy tailor-made for your own circumstances, and do everything in their power to reduce—or even do away with—the effect that criminal charges can have on your life.
The veteran Plattsburg, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to help Plattsburg-area citizens of all kinds who are looking at criminal charges minimize the effect they have on their freedom, lives, and reputations. Our standard of offering successful, client-focused legal representation is unequaled among criminal defense lawyers in Plattsburg. 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 talk to us online today.
Legal Videos

Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
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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What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …

Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
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.

Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
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 Plattsburg, MO Criminal Defense Lawyer
The skilled Plattsburg, MO criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte handle a wide variety 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 be the difference between your case going in your way and being deprived of your rights and freedoms. Unlike other Plattsburg 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 Plattsburg, MO criminal defense lawyer at any time of day to discuss the facts of your case, how you want to proceed, or anything else. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your current situation, 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 believe that if you “lay low” or say the right thing, you will be fine and they will not hassle you further. However, this is a rare occurrence, and you should take any criminal investigation seriously and be ready to call an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer at any time.
It is wholly 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 scenarios where calling a Plattsburg defense lawyer is the right move to make:
- When investigators “just want to ask questions”. If you were near a crime scene and were just passing through, it’s logical to talk to the police. However, you still need to watch what you say, as the police did not directly see what happened: after all, this is why they are talking to you to begin with. A younger or overzealous officer could read your statement the wrong way and consider you a person of interest. If police want your witness statement, request 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 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 force you to do anything unless they have a genuine hunch that you committed a crime. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution grants you protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and heavily sanctions their ability to obtain search warrants or require you to grant access to personal information. But, police will sometimes ask you to sign “releases”, which permit them to get blood tests or scans to see if you had drugs or alcohol in your system. If the police request that you sign one of these papers, politely say no and request to speak with a lawyer. Voluntarily permitting the police to get 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 critical 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 Plattsburg, 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 an attorney being present, and call a Plattsburg criminal defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against charges and accusations.
Clinton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clinton County and Missouri.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Plattsburg, MO
If there’s one thing that Plattsburg 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 over Plattsburg, MO know that local municipal police departments use traffic tickets not to punish reckless drivers, 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).
Being written a traffic ticket in Plattsburg, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Plattsburg traffic ticket, you essentially 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Plattsburg drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Plattsburg traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Plattsburg traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you can afford If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Plattsburg, 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 fixing your Plattsburg traffic ticket.
Other cases we take on in Plattsburg, MO include:
Contact Seasoned Plattsburg, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte
When you have been accused of a crime, from a simple traffic ticket for not properly changing lanes to substantial felonies, talk to a seasoned Plattsburg, 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 here to talk with you at a time that fits your schedule to help you defend yourself against criminal indictments and keep your hard-won reputation amongst family and friends.

