Criminal Defense Attorney Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve 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 several years in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many situations, you will be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people overcome criminal convictions in the Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO area. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Bellefontaine Neighbors criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Bellefontaine Neighbors clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal case.

Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened caliber of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in 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 get a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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 passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many Bellefontaine Neighbors-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always receive personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 very life in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. 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 get to work 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time 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 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 limination to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

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 in some cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity. 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

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including 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 typically 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Bellefontaine Neighbors criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced 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 you have a strong case but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups 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 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. 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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 written a traffic ticket in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Bellefontaine Neighbors traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Bellefontaine Neighbors drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bellefontaine Neighbors traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure 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 an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Bellefontaine Neighbors 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Bellefontaine Neighbors traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Bellefontaine Neighbors defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive anytime access to the Bellefontaine Neighbors criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Bellefontaine Neighbors, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call 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 driven Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.