Criminal Defense Attorney in Chesterfield, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Chesterfield, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a minor crime could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but following your reentry into society you will no longer be entitled to additional rights or privileges that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be forced to share your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often drastically limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many people rise above criminal convictions in the Chesterfield, MO area. Our firm recognizes that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success is notable among Chesterfield criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield, MO criminal case.

Chesterfield, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra stage of legal intelligence and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, make sure 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 Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Chesterfield, 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 passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Chesterfield area and helped them put what is a certainly scary experience behind them. 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 experienced Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Chesterfield, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking to a Chesterfield area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Chesterfield, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy 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 talk to a Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. 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 as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Chesterfield, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Chesterfield, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Chesterfield, Missouri

Under criminal law 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 – a maximum of 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 is influenced by a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors 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, meaning 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 for crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Chesterfield representing you, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 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 take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys.

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 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 not been accused of committing a criminal act, our Chesterfield-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 Chesterfield, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Chesterfield traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

An increasing number of Chesterfield drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Chesterfield traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure 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 written a traffic ticket in Chesterfield, 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 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.

Hire Your Chesterfield, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Chesterfield, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike 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 sure that you will get round-the-clock 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 anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Chesterfield, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to severe 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 experiences working with the driven Chesterfield, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.