Criminal Defense Attorney Bowling Green, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Bowling Green, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a minor infraction 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 magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many instances, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The winning Bowling Green, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Bowling Green-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the effect criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of success is notable among Bowling Green criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Bowling Green clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Bowling Green, MO criminal case.

Bowling Green, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require a heightened amount of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Bowling Green, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Bowling Green, MO is not afraid 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 helped many Bowling Green-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably scary 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 Bowling Green, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait talking to a Bowling Green area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Bowling Green, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building 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 Bowling Green, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, 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 may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bowling Green, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Bowling Green, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Bowling Green, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is usually 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Bowling Green representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less serious.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. 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 determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Bowling Green, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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 Bowling Green, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green-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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Bowling Green, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Bowling Green traffic ticket, you essentially 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 once again during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

A growing number of Bowling Green drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bowling Green traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Bowling Green traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Bowling Green, 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
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer

Hire Your Bowling Green, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Bowling Green, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Bowling Green 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 get round-the-clock access to the Bowling Green criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Bowling Green, from a simple moving violation for speeding to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Bowling Green, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.