Criminal Defense Attorney Carroll County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Carroll County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a minor infraction could cause you to pay a sizable fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many cases, you could be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually heavily limits where they can live or work.

The experienced Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people rise above criminal convictions in the Carroll County, MO area. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning cases is notable among Carroll County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Carroll County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Carroll County, MO criminal case.

Carroll County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Carroll County, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — whether they are 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 Carroll County area and helped them put what is an unquestionably harrowing 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 Carroll County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

• 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 Carroll County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always receive personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not wait talking to a Carroll County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building 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 Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

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 may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights 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 forced 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 panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Carroll County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Carroll County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Carroll County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity. Based on the class of your felony conviction, 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

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. They will weigh factors 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 typically 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Carroll County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Carroll 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, the maximum punishment allowed for a misdemeanor is a year in jail, and in many cases no jail time is required, but rather the payment of a fine.

• 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 based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. 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 Carroll County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Carroll 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 severity 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 in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.

Many Carroll County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Carroll County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to all its cases, even small 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, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Carroll County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Carroll 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 getting your Carroll County traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Carroll 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 Carroll County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Carroll County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Carroll 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 24/7 access to the Carroll 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 talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Carroll County, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call 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 experiences working with the skilled Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.