Criminal Defense Attorney Cole County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Cole County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay a hefty fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release you will no longer be entitled to certain rights or privileges that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many cases, you will be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which often drastically limits where they can work or live.

The winning Cole County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Cole County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of success is notable among Cole County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Cole County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Cole County, MO criminal case.

Cole County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is stressful enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require a heightened stage of legal acumen and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Cole County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Cole County, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Cole County-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably scary experience behind them. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.

A Full-Service Cole County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Cole County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• Motor Vehicle Tampering
• Assault and Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges and Possession

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Cole County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait speaking to a Cole County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Cole County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy and allowing you to breathe you to breathe a little easier as we tackle the looming uncertainty of an impending criminal court proceeding. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a criminal defense attorney in Cole County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Cole County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Cole County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Cole County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes based on the severity. Based on what class felony you are convicted of, the punishment will vary.

• Class A Felony – minimum of 10 years and no more than 30 years in prison, or life in prison
• Class B Felony – at least five but no more than 15 years in prison
• Class C Felony – between three and 10 years in prison
• Class D Felony – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment is up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so what is usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have prior convictions or for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Cole County representing you, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less severe.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. If you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Cole County, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, misdemeanors are punishable by no more than one year in county or city jail or may just involve fines.

• Class A Misdemeanor – up to one year in jail; a fine of up to $2,000
• Class B Misdemeanor – up to six months in jail; a fine of up to $1,000
• Class C Misdemeanor – up to 15 days in jail; a fine of up to $700
• Class D Misdemeanor – a fine of up to $500

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced in certain cases. However, in misdemeanor cases your defense attorney can often help you avoid serving jail time in favor of a period of supervision known as probation. You may also be required to meet additional requirements as a condition of your probation, such as community service or competition of a substance abuse rehabilitation program.

Misdemeanors are not to be taken lightly, but are not as serious as felony convictions and a good criminal defense attorney can help you get an outcome that is minimally disruptive to your life and allows you to move forward in a positive light. Call Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case and your options with a defense attorney near Cole County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cole County, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Cole County, MO area can help you through our excellent traffic law services. Affordable and effective as attorneys against traffic tickets, do not let our record of success in difficult criminal cases intimidate you or dissuade you from hiring us for top traffic ticket legal representation.

Being given a traffic ticket in Cole County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Cole County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing stiffer penalties.

More and more Cole County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cole County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Cole County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Cole 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 fixing your Cole County traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Cole County, MO area attorneys of Combs Waterkotte have the skill and expertise you need from your lawyer in any criminal or personal injury case. Learn more about the types of cases we win below.

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney

Hire Your Cole County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Cole County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Cole County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get round-the-clock access to the Cole County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Cole County, from a small moving violation for speeding to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Cole County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.