Criminal Defense Attorney Benton, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Benton, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand the weight of the charges that you are facing. Even a conviction for a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a large 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 multiple years in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many cases, you could be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely limits where they can live or work.

The winning Benton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal allegations in the Benton, MO area. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Benton criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Benton clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Benton, MO criminal case.

Benton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened stage of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to induce a guilty plea, make sure 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 Benton, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Benton, MO is not afraid to face 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 fought for many Benton-area residents who were facing all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably harrowing experience in their rear-view mirror. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.

A Full-Service Benton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Benton, 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 Benton, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your very life in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a Benton 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 your case 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 criminal defense attorney in Benton, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

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 so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited 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 is an obvious impairment to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you have already received a felony conviction 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Benton, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Benton, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Benton, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. Depending 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. They will take into account information including the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so a crime typically considered 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Benton criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.

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 refuses 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Benton, 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, 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 Benton, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Benton, 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 Benton-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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Benton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Benton traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally 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 window you could be looking at harsher penalties.

A growing number of Benton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Benton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Benton 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 written a traffic ticket in Benton, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Benton traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Benton, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Benton defense attorneys, our firm places complete 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 Benton 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 anything else.

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