Criminal Defense Attorney Buchanan County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Buchanan County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a minor infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often heavily limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Buchanan County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Buchanan County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Buchanan County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Buchanan County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Buchanan County, MO criminal case.

Buchanan County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra amount of legal knowledge and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these 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 all the stops to get a guilty plea, make sure 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 Buchanan County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Buchanan County, MO is not scared to square off against 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 Buchanan County-area residents who were facing all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 Buchanan County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Buchanan 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 Buchanan County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not put off reaching out to a Buchanan County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 criminal defense attorney in Buchanan County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, 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 purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, you are not without options. 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 Buchanan County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Buchanan County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Buchanan County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity. Based 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 outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information 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, meaning what is typically 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Buchanan County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able 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 you have a strong case but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte 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 Buchanan County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

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, misdemeanors are punishable by no more than one year in county or city jail or may just involve fines.

• 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 based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. 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 Buchanan County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Buchanan County, 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 Buchanan County-based defense attorneys can help you through our expert 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 Buchanan County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Buchanan County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

A growing number of Buchanan County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Buchanan County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Buchanan County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Buchanan County, 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 fixing your Buchanan County traffic ticket.

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

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

Choosing the right Buchanan County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Buchanan County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get anytime access to the Buchanan County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Buchanan County, from a simple moving violation for speeding to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 experienced Buchanan County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.