Criminal Defense Attorney in Gasconade County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Gasconade County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a small infraction 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 are you subject to multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but following your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that most citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Gasconade County-area residents fight criminal charges. 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 limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning cases is notable among Gasconade County 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 Gasconade County 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 Gasconade County, MO criminal case.

Gasconade County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra amount of legal intelligence and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Gasconade County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Gasconade County area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Gasconade County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Gasconade County, 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 receive 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 very life in jeopardy, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a Gasconade County 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 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Gasconade County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction for even a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, 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 could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. 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. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Gasconade County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Gasconade County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Gasconade County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies 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 – 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 exact punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors including the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Gasconade County representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you 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 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Gasconade County, 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, 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 Gasconade County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Gasconade County, 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 Gasconade County-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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Gasconade County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Gasconade County traffic ticket, you essentially 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 usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

Many Gasconade County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Gasconade County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Gasconade County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Gasconade County, 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 begin the process of fixing your Gasconade County traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Gasconade County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Gasconade County 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 receive anytime access to the Gasconade County criminal defense lawyer 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 Gasconade County, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.