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Criminal Defense Attorney Bollinger County, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorney in Bollinger County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a minor crime could cause you to pay a large fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many instances, you could be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The winning Bollinger County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Bollinger County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Bollinger County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Bollinger County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Bollinger County, MO criminal case.

Bollinger County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened caliber of legal acumen and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Bollinger County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Bollinger County, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Bollinger County area and helped them put what is a certainly troubling 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 Bollinger County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Bollinger County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Bollinger County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. Whether 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Bollinger County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Bollinger County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 speak to a Bollinger County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, 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 limited 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 required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious impairment to moving forward in 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 able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Bollinger County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Bollinger County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Bollinger County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by the judge. They will weigh factors such as 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, so a crime typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have 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 Bollinger County criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a less serious.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, 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 is not willing 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Bollinger County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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

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 Bollinger County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bollinger 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 Bollinger County-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 Bollinger County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Bollinger County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.

An increasing number of Bollinger County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bollinger County 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 without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced 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 not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Bollinger County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 Bollinger County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Bollinger County traffic ticket.

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

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

Choosing the right Bollinger County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Bollinger County 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 receive round-the-clock access to the Bollinger 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 have been indicted on criminal charges in Bollinger County, from a simple moving violation for speeding to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Bollinger County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.

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