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Missouri's Traffic and Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been charged—or anticipate being charged—with a crime in Missouri, your reputation, freedom, and future are at stake. Depending on the charges and the facts of your case, the potential penalties could include sizable fines, substantial jail or prison time, long-term employment and educational barriers, and possibly even the loss of your voting or gun rights. Even having a minor traffic ticket on your record can have unwanted negative consequences.

Whether you want to fight a traffic ticket, are facing false criminal accusations or charges, or made a serious mistake, you need and deserve sound legal guidance and a rigorous criminal defense. Fortunately, that’s just what we provide. Here’s what you need to know.

Smithville Traffic Tickets: Why You Need a Strong Defense

Got a traffic ticket and thinking of just paying it to avoid a hassle? Not so fast – did you know that paying a traffic ticket is technically the same as pleading guilty? This can add points to your license, possibly resulting in its suspension or revocation, and higher auto insurance premiums. But this doesn’t have to happen to you. Missouri defense attorney Jim Deffet can help protect your driving record by negotiating to knock the ticket down to a lesser offense or ensure you get probation. 

A speeding ticket or moving violation may seem like a headache, but it may be much more than that. A speeding ticket or other moving violation could have a significant impact on your life. If you have received a ticket in Smithville, then it is important to understand the potential consequences you face and why you may need a criminal defense lawyer.

Moving Violations and Speeding Tickets

Some common moving violations in Smithville include:

  • Speeding
  • Texting and driving
  • Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
  • Driving without motor vehicle insurance
  • Running a red light
  • Careless and imprudent driving
  • Driving with a revoked license
  • Leaving the scene of an accident

Some of these violations are criminal offenses, and all of these violations can have significant financial consequences. These violations can also increase your insurance premiums and add points to your driver’s license. When you earn 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months, your license will be revoked. If you have repeated violations, then you could even face jail time.

Aggressive Criminal Defense for DUI- or DWI-Related Charges in Missouri

Drunk driving is a serious offense that puts everyone at risk. As a result, prosecutors often “throw the book” at the accused. However, contrary to what some defendants may believe, a conviction isn’t an inevitability. A knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense attorney can conduct a thorough investigation into the charges leveled against you, challenge the state of Missouri’s evidence, or negotiate a reduced fine or for you to receive probation instead of jail or prison time. We offer aggressive and capable criminal defense for DUI- and DWI-related charges involving:

  • Driving with a suspended or revoked license
  • Leaving the scene of a DWI crash
  • DWI car accident resulting in injuries and damages
  • DWI motorcycle wreck that injured a passenger or another person
  • DWI truck crash involving a commercial driver (and a commercial driver’s license)
  • Accidents caused by boating while intoxicated
  • Prior DWI convictions

Facing drunk driving charges and worried about your future? You should be. These charges and their potential penalties are serious. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right firm for help. We have helped countless clients mount a vigorous defense to these charges and secure the best possible outcome in their case.

Other Criminal Cases We Handle

We provide high-quality legal representation for clients facing any and all state misdemeanor or felony charges, including those involving:

  • Theft
  • Assault
  • Drugs
  • DUI or DWI
  • And other criminal offenses

Providing the Robust Defense You Need in Your Missouri Criminal Case

We are a small firm focused on delivering big results for its clients. Having worked as a prosecutor before becoming a criminal defense attorney, Jim Deffet has experience on both sides of the legal aisle. He knows how prosecutors think—and he uses that valuable insider knowledge to work for the benefit of each and every client.

That’s not the only thing that sets our firm apart from the competition. Rather than accepting every case that comes through our doors, we only handle a select number of cases each year, which ensures that our clients receive high-quality legal services and unparalleled personal attention.

FAQ About Criminal Defense Law:


Criminal defense law encompasses a broad range of issues, and the questions people have can vary widely depending on their specific circumstances. However, there are some questions that tend to come up frequently when individuals are seeking information about criminal defense. Here are three commonly asked questions:

  1. Do I need a criminal defense attorney?
    • This question is often one of the first that people ask when they are charged with a crime. The general answer is that it is usually in a person’s best interest to have professional legal representation, especially when charged with a serious crime. A criminal defense attorney understands the law, court procedures, and can often negotiate a better plea deal than a defendant can on their own. They can also develop a strategy for defending the accused and may be able to get charges reduced or dismissed.
  2. What are my rights when I am arrested?
    • People frequently want to understand what their rights are if they are arrested. In the United States, for example, individuals have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, as articulated in the Miranda warnings. They also have the right to be treated humanely, the right to a speedy and public trial, and the right not to incriminate themselves (the Fifth Amendment), among other rights. It is important for individuals to understand these rights and how to exercise them when facing criminal charges.
  3. How does the criminal defense process work?
    • Defendants and their families often have questions about the process that follows after a person is charged with a crime. This can include questions about the stages of the criminal process (arrest, arraignment, bail, pretrial proceedings, trial, sentencing, appeal, etc.), what to expect at each stage, and how long the process is likely to take. The specifics can vary significantly depending on jurisdiction, the nature of the charges, and other factors, but a criminal defense attorney can provide a general overview of what to expect.
  4. What Happens When You Refuse A Breathalyzer Test In Missouri?
    • If you refuse a police officer’s request to administer a breathalyzer test in Missouri, then you may face a Chemical Revocation of your driver’s license. The police officer may take your license from you and issue you a 15-day temporary driving permit. During those 15 days, you may request an Administrative Hearing to challenge the Chemical Revocation of your license. If you do so successfully, then you will have your regular license reinstated.
    • However, if you do not challenge the Chemical Revocation or if you are unsuccessful in your legal challenge, then:
      • Your license may be revoked for one year
      • The Chemical Revocation will be part of your permanent driving record
      • You may also face other penalties, including financial costs.

These questions can be quite complex and the answers may vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances of the case. It is always advisable for someone facing criminal charges to consult with a qualified criminal defense attorney who can provide advice that is tailored to the individual’s situation.

Request a Free Initial Consultation

If you are facing a worrisome criminal matter in Missouri and need reliable legal counsel? It’s a good thing you’ve found us. We know that even good people can make mistakes and that false charges can throw an innocent person’s world into chaos. To find out how we can help, contact us to discuss your criminal case with one of our accomplished defense attorneys.