Criminal Defense Attorney Festus, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Festus, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just a conviction for a minor crime could force you to pay a hefty fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to several years in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many situations, you could be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Festus-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of success distinguishes us from other Festus criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Festus 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 Festus, MO criminal case.

Festus, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra stage of legal intelligence and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 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 stop at nothing to induce a guilty plea, ensure 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 Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample 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 Festus, MO is not scared to take on 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 Festus area and helped them put what is an undoubtably harrowing 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 Festus, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Festus, 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 Festus, 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 get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether 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, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. 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 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 criminal defense attorney in Festus, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction for even 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 could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred 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 is an obvious impairment to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Festus, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Festus, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Festus, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity. 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 – 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 variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information such as 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, meaning what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Festus criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less serious.

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 is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups 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

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. As conditions of your probation sentence, you may be required to fulfill additional requirements 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 Festus, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Festus, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our Festus-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 given a traffic ticket in Festus, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Festus traffic ticket, you essentially 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 drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Festus drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Festus traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Festus traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Festus, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Festus traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Festus, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Festus defense attorneys, our firm places complete 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 Festus criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Festus, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change 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 preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.