St. Louis County, MO

Assault Lawyer in St. Louis County, MO. Facing an assault charge in St. Louis County, MO is a critical situation that can lead to life-changing consequences. A conviction could mean harsh penalties, including prison time, substantial fines, and a lasting criminal record, as well as the St. Louis County, MO societal stigma that accompanies it.

If you’re facing assault charges anywhere in the St. Louis County, MO area or across Missouri, having an experienced assault and battery lawyer by your side can be the difference between staring down those significant penalties and freedom.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation to go over the specifics of your case with an expert St. Louis County, MO defense attorney.

Assault Lawyer: Understanding St. Louis County, MO Assault Charges

Assault is traditionally defined as “any deliberate act that causes another person to fear imminent physical harm.” This can include verbal or physical threats, threatening gestures, and any attempt to strike another person. On the other hand, battery is defined as “the act of causing physical harm.” In summary, assault is the threat of harm, while battery involves the actual physical act.

Assault charges in St. Louis County, MO can range in severity depending on the specifics of your situation. Here’s a brief overview of some common assault charges our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in St. Louis County, MO frequently work on:

• Simple Assault: Often involving threats of violence or minor physical altercations that don’t result in serious injury. While it might seem less serious, a conviction for simple assault can still bring about severe consequences.
• Aggravated Assault: This involves more serious offenses, such as using a deadly weapon or inflicting significant bodily harm. Aggravated assault is often treated as a felony, leading to harsher penalties in St. Louis County, MO.
• Domestic Assault: Charges that involve violence or threats against a spouse, partner, family member, or someone within the same household. Domestic assault cases can be more complicated due to the close personal relationships involved.
• Assault with a Deadly Weapon: An escalated charge where the accused is alleged to have used a weapon during the assault. This can involve firearms, knives, or any object used in a way that could cause serious harm.

Facing these charges or anything similar in or around St. Louis County, MO? You need to speak with an expert St. Louis County, MO assault attorney at Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online.

Assault Lawyer St. Louis County, MO: Types of Assault Charges

In St. Louis County, MO and throughout Missouri, assault charges are classified into four degrees, each with its own specific criteria and associated penalties:

First Degree Assault in St. Louis County, MO

• Criteria: First-degree assault involves an intentional attempt to kill another individual or knowingly causing or attempting to cause serious physical harm to someone.
• Penalties: If serious physical injury results, it is classified as a Class A Felony, punishable by 10-30 years or life in prison. Without serious injury, it’s classified as a Class B Felony, which ranges from 5 to 15 years in prison.

Second Degree Assault in St. Louis County, MO

• Criteria: The charge of second-degree assault is applicable when someone:
  • Attempts to kill or causes serious physical injury under the influence of sudden passion provoked by adequate cause.
  • Attempts to cause or knowingly causes physical injury to another individual by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
  • Recklessly inflicts serious injury on another individual.
  • Injures another while driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Physically harms a law enforcement officer or emergency worker.
• Penalties: When a law enforcement officer is involved, it’s classified as a Class B Felony, leading to 5 to 15 years in prison. For other instances, it is a Class D Felony with a potential prison sentence of 1 to 7 years.

Third Degree Assault in St. Louis County, MO

• Criteria: Third-degree assault in St. Louis County, MO occurs when an individual knowingly causes physical injury or recklessly inflicts serious injury on another another individual or recklessly causes serious harm.
• Penalties: These are classified as a Class E Felony, which can include up to 4 years in prison, fines, or probation, unless the assault was on a special victim, in which case it is a Class D Felony.

Fourth Degree Assault in St. Louis County, MO

• Criteria: Fourth-degree assault is the least serious assault charge and can include:
  • Attempting to cause physical harm or placing someone in apprehension of immediate physical harm.
  • Recklessly causing physical injury or making unwanted physical contact.
  • Negligently causing physical harm with a deadly weapon.
• Penalties: This degree of assault is considered a Class A Misdemeanor which can include up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $2,000. However, if the assault involves a special victim, it is a Class E Felony meaning up to 4 years in prison.

Assault Lawyer St. Louis County, MO: Why You Need Combs Waterkotte Fighting for You

Facing an assault charge is daunting, and navigating the St. Louis County, MO-area legal system can be overwhelming. An experienced assault defense lawyer is vital in helping you manage this challenging process. Here’s why Combs Waterkotte is your best ally in St. Louis County, MO:

Crafting a Robust Defense Strategy in St. Louis County, MO

Every assault case is unique, and your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the details of your circumstances to build a tailored defense strategy. This could include:

• Evaluating the Evidence: Investigating the prosecution’s evidence for discrepancies, errors, or breaches of your rights.
• Exploring Self-Defense: Proving that your actions were in self-defense or in defense of others. Other strong defenses can include: lack of intent, mutual consent, and false accusation.
• Questioning Witness Testimony: Identifying biases or inconsistencies in the statements provided by witnesses.
• Negotiating Charges: Engaging to secure alternative sentencing, or to reduce or dismiss the charges where possible.

Efforts to Mitigate Penalties in St. Louis County, MO

Even if a conviction appears unavoidable, an experienced St. Louis County, MO Combs Waterkotte defense attorney can work to minimize the consequences you face. Strategies could include:

• Negotiating for reduced charges or more lenient sentencing.
• Negotiating for probation, community service, diversion, or other alternatives to incarceration.
• Attempting to expunge or seal your records when possible, minimizing the long-term repercussions of a conviction.

Defending Your Rights in St. Louis County, MO

From the moment charges are filed in St. Louis County, MO, your rights could be compromised. A skilled|An experienced} Combs Waterkotte St. Louis County, MO assault defense lawyer ensures that your constitutional rights are upheld throughout every stage of the legal process throughout investigations and court proceedings.

If you’re accused of assault in or around St. Louis County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you aren’t just selecting the ideal assault lawyer in St. Louis County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with criminal defense from our esteemed assault defense attorneys, our entire legal team provides expertise in the following areas for St. Louis County, MO residents:

• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
• Violent Crime Lawyer
• Drug Crimes Lawyer
• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer

Assault Lawyer St. Louis County, MO: Why Choose Combs Waterkotte

At Combs Waterkotte, we specialize in defending assault charges in St. Louis County, MO, leveraging over three decades of experience and a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of criminal law in St. Louis County, MO. We are fully committed to our clients, working diligently to ensure the best outcomes possible. Here’s what makes Combs Waterkotte stand out:

• Client-Focused: We emphasize transparent communication, keeping you informed and involved in every step of your defense.
• Expertise: Our legal team has defended hundreds of clients facing assault charges just like yours in St. Louis County, MO, bringing a wealth of experience to your case.
• Tenacious Defense: We aren’t afraid to confront the prosecution head-on, safeguarding your rights and pursuing the strongest possible defense.
• Demonstrated Success: Our more than 350 reviews and track record throughout St. Louis County, MO speak volumes, with numerous cases resulting in reduced charges and dismissed charges.

Reach Out to a Leading St. Louis County, MO Assault Lawyer at Combs Waterkotte Today

If you’re dealing with assault charges in the St. Louis County, MO area, don’t delay in seeking the legal representation you need. Reach out to the assault defense team at Combs Waterkotte for a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled attorney. We’re dedicated to protecting your rights and advocating for your future in St. Louis County, MO. Contact the experienced assault attorneys at Combs Waterkotte for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are dedicated to defending your rights and securing the best outcome for your case in St. Louis County, MO.

Call us immediately at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online.