Criminal Defense Attorney Kearney, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Kearney, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just being convicted of a minor crime could cause you to pay a hefty fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that many citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many instances, you could be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Kearney-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 a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Kearney criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Kearney 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 Kearney, MO criminal case.

Kearney, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra level of legal intelligence and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to get a guilty plea, make sure 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 Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Kearney, MO is not afraid 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 protected many Kearney-area residents who were facing all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Kearney, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Kearney, 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 Kearney, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 at risk of being taken from you, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a Kearney, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. 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 as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. 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 have already received a felony conviction 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Kearney, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Kearney, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Kearney, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. 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 conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will take into account information including the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with 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 Kearney criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain 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 criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte 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 Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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. As conditions of your probation sentence, you may be required to fulfill additional requirements 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 Kearney, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Kearney, 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 Kearney-based defense attorneys 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 written a traffic ticket in Kearney, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Kearney traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing harsher penalties.

More and more Kearney drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Kearney traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure 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 error. Best of all, our top-notch Kearney 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 written a traffic ticket in Kearney, 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 Kearney traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Kearney, 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.

• Assault Defense Lawyer
• Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Sex Crimes Lawyer
• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney

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

Selecting the right Kearney, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Kearney defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Kearney 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 are facing criminal charges in Kearney, from a simple moving violation for speeding 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 you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.