Criminal Defense Attorney Cape Girardeau, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a minor infraction could force you to pay a sizable fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many instances, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which often heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Cape Girardeau, MO area. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Cape Girardeau, MO criminal case.

Cape Girardeau, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened stage of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of around 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 use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to get a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Cape Girardeau, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Cape Girardeau-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 Cape Girardeau, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

• 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 Cape Girardeau, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not put off talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Cape Girardeau, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to get in touch with a Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction for even a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. 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 as 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 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 is an obvious obstacle to moving forward in life.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Cape Girardeau, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

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

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is usually 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 in 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Cape Girardeau criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized 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 you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor is not willing 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 determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Cape Girardeau, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau-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 Cape Girardeau, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Cape Girardeau traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

Many Cape Girardeau drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cape Girardeau traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every 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, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Cape Girardeau traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau, 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 start the process of fixing your Cape Girardeau traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Cape Girardeau, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Cape Girardeau 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 round-the-clock access to the Cape Girardeau criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Cape Girardeau, from a simple moving violation for speeding to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call 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 Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.