Criminal Defense Attorney Lafayette County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lafayette County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just a conviction for a small crime could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your release you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that many citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Lafayette County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Lafayette County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Lafayette County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Lafayette County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Lafayette County, MO criminal case.

Lafayette County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand an extra stage of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Lafayette County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Lafayette 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 who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Lafayette County area and helped them put what is an unquestionably harrowing experience in their rear-view mirror. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.

A Full-Service Lafayette County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Lafayette County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

• 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 Lafayette County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life on the line, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Lafayette County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building a sound approach to your case 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Lafayette County, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious impairment to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Lafayette County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Lafayette County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Lafayette County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Depending 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. They will weigh information including 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. This can happen for some defendants with prior convictions or in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Lafayette County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. If your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Lafayette County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Lafayette County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lafayette County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our Lafayette County-based defense attorneys can help you through our expert 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 Lafayette County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Lafayette County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically 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 period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

Many Lafayette County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lafayette County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure 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 police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Lafayette County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Lafayette County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Lafayette County traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Lafayette 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
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys

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

Choosing the right Lafayette County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Lafayette County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will have round-the-clock access to the Lafayette County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Lafayette County, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Lafayette County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.