Criminal Defense Attorney St. Louis County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Louis County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve 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 multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many situations, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually heavily limits where they can live or work.

The skilled St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many St. Louis County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other St. Louis County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied St. Louis County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your St. Louis County, MO criminal case.

St. Louis County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened stage of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often brags that it has a conviction rate of about 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 pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near St. Louis County, MO is not afraid to take on 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 St. Louis County-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 St. Louis County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled St. Louis 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 St. Louis County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get 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 very life hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off speaking to a St. Louis County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward 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 criminal defense attorney in St. Louis County, MO 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 could lose years of your life serving time 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 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 forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, 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, all hope is not lost. 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. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in St. Louis County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our St. Louis County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in St. Louis County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity. 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 – a maximum of 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 depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors 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, so a crime 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in St. Louis County representing you, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 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 determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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. 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 St. Louis County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In St. Louis County, 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 St. Louis County-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 St. Louis County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your St. Louis County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of St. Louis County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their St. Louis County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of 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, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional St. Louis County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 given a traffic ticket in St. Louis 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 getting your St. Louis County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Hire Your St. Louis County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right St. Louis County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other St. Louis County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get 24/7 access to the St. Louis County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in St. Louis County, from a small moving violation for speeding to federal 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 you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.