Criminal Defense Attorney Bates County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Bates County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay an expensive fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple 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 following your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that many citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often drastically limits where they can work or live.

The experienced Bates County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Bates County, MO area. Our firm understands that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning is notable among Bates County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Bates County 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 Bates County, MO criminal case.

Bates County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra stage of legal acumen and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often touts 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 an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book 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 Bates County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Bates County, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many Bates County-area residents who were looking at all manner 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 Bates County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Bates 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 Bates County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out to a Bates County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Bates County, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years 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. Convicted felons are barred from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not lose hope. 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 an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bates County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Bates County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Bates County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors 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 a crime typically classified as 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 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 Bates County representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you 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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing 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 determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Bates County, 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 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Bates County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bates County, 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 defense attorneys in the Bates County, MO area can help you through our excellent traffic ticket legal 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 Bates County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Bates County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity 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 in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of 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 Bates County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bates County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Bates County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Bates County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Bates County traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Bates 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
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Bates County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Bates County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Bates County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get 24/7 access to the Bates County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Bates County, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us 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 experiences working with the experienced Bates County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.