Criminal Defense Attorney Belton, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Belton, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you know the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Even being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many cases, you will be required to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually heavily limits where they can work or live.

The experienced Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Belton-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Belton criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Belton 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 Belton, MO criminal case.

Belton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened amount of legal knowledge and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises 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 an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast 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 Belton, 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 assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Belton area and helped them 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 Belton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Belton, 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 Belton, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 very life hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Belton, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy and allowing you to breathe you to breathe a little easier as we tackle the looming uncertainty of an impending criminal court proceeding. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to get in touch with a Belton, MO criminal defense attorney 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, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. 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 so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from owning 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 are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Belton, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Belton, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Belton, Missouri

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

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. They will take into account factors including the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so a crime usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen for some defendants with prior convictions or for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to 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 Belton representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain 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 demonstrating your innocence 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 Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys.

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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced in certain cases. 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 Belton, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Belton, 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 defense attorneys in the Belton, 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Belton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Belton traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing increased penalties.

An increasing number of Belton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Belton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our top-notch Belton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Belton, 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 getting your Belton traffic ticket fixed.

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

Finding the right Belton, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Belton defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will get anytime access to the Belton criminal defense lawyer 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 are looking at criminal charges in Belton, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.