Criminal Defense Attorney Chesterfield, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Chesterfield, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay a sizable fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release you will no longer enjoy certain privileges or rights that many citizens take for granted. 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 rental or job applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Chesterfield-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the effect criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Chesterfield criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Chesterfield clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Chesterfield, MO criminal case.

Chesterfield, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra level of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample 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 Chesterfield, MO is not afraid to square 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 protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, Missouri have decades 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 will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Chesterfield, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. 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. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon 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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Chesterfield, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Chesterfield, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Chesterfield, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is usually 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on 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 Chesterfield representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Chesterfield, 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 grouped into categories based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Chesterfield, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield-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 written a traffic ticket in Chesterfield, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Chesterfield traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Chesterfield drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Chesterfield traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to all 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, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Chesterfield traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 issued a traffic ticket in Chesterfield, 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 getting your Chesterfield traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Chesterfield, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Chesterfield defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive 24/7 access to the Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Chesterfield, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding 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 experienced Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.