Criminal Defense Attorney Howell County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Howell County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Just a conviction for a small infraction could force you to pay a hefty fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Howell County, MO area. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the effect criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning is notable among Howell County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Howell County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Howell County, MO criminal case.

Howell County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra amount of legal intelligence and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts 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 overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to get a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Howell County, MO is not scared to square off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Howell County area and helped them put what is a certainly troubling 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 Howell County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Howell 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 Howell County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off speaking to a Howell County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Howell County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Howell 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. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled 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 barred from purchasing or possessing 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 job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Howell County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Howell County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Howell County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or for crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Howell County criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. If you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Howell 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 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 Howell County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Howell County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our defense attorneys in the Howell County, MO area can help you through our expert traffic ticket legal 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Howell County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Howell County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Howell County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Howell County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Howell County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Howell County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Howell County traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Howell County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Howell County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will have anytime access to the Howell County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Howell County, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.