Criminal Defense Attorney in Clarkson Valley, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a small crime could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your reentry into society you will no longer have additional rights or privileges that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many situations, you will be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often heavily curtails where they can live or work.
The skilled Clarkson Valley, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Clarkson Valley, MO area. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Clarkson Valley criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Clarkson Valley clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Clarkson Valley, MO criminal case.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Clarkson Valley, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra caliber of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those 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 all the stops to induce 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 Clarkson Valley, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Clarkson Valley, MO is not afraid 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 Clarkson Valley area and helped them put what is an undoubtably harrowing 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 Clarkson Valley, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The proficient Clarkson Valley, 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 Clarkson Valley, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.
With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out to a Clarkson Valley area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 get in touch with a Clarkson Valley, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.
Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences
A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in 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 once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited 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 forced 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 have already received a felony conviction 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 in some cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Clarkson Valley, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Clarkson Valley, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Clarkson Valley, Missouri
Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes 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 outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. They will weigh information 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, meaning a crime usually 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 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Clarkson Valley criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.
You may also be able to avoid a criminal conviction altogether, 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 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 our Clarkson Valley, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.
Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri
As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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, 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 Clarkson Valley, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Clarkson Valley, MO
Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Clarkson Valley-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 given a traffic ticket in Clarkson Valley, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Clarkson Valley traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.
Many Clarkson Valley drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Clarkson Valley traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen 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 brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Clarkson Valley traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Clarkson Valley, 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 Clarkson Valley traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Clarkson Valley, 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 Clarkson Valley, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Selecting the right Clarkson Valley, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Clarkson Valley defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Clarkson Valley criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.
When you are looking at criminal charges in Clarkson Valley, 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 you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Clarkson Valley, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.