Criminal Defense Attorney Lebanon, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lebanon, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, 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 encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but following your reentry into society you will no longer have additional rights or privileges that most citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Lebanon-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Lebanon criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Lebanon 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 Lebanon, MO criminal case.

Lebanon, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened amount of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in 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 induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Lebanon, MO is not scared to square off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Lebanon area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Lebanon, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, 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 freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not wait reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Lebanon, 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 sound approach to your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, 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 will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited from purchasing or possessing 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 is an obvious impairment to moving forward in life.

If you have already received a felony conviction 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 able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Lebanon, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Lebanon, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Lebanon, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. Depending 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 conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. They will weigh information such as the situation surrounding 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 what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Lebanon representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less serious.

You may also be able to avoid a criminal conviction altogether, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. If your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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 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 Lebanon, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lebanon, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Lebanon-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 Lebanon, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Lebanon traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 usually 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 looking at increased penalties.

More and more Lebanon drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lebanon traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Lebanon traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Lebanon, 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 begin the process of fixing your Lebanon traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Lebanon, 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
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Lebanon, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Lebanon, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Lebanon defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will have anytime access to the Lebanon criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Lebanon, from a small moving violation for speeding to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call 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 experienced Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.