Criminal Defense Attorney Gladstone, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Gladstone, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small infraction could force you to pay a sizable fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Gladstone, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Gladstone-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning is notable among Gladstone criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Gladstone clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Gladstone, MO criminal case.

Gladstone, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough situation, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require a heightened caliber of legal knowledge and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in 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 coax 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 Gladstone, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Gladstone, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Gladstone area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 Gladstone, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Gladstone, 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 Gladstone, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life on the line, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off 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 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 criminal defense attorney in Gladstone, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, 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 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, you are not without options. 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 an experienced criminal defense attorney in Gladstone, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Gladstone, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Gladstone, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Depending 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors such as the specific circumstances of 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 what is typically considered 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Gladstone representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 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 to find you guilty. Contact our Gladstone, 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 categorized into groups 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

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 Gladstone, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Gladstone, 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 defense attorneys in the Gladstone, MO area 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Gladstone, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Gladstone traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

A growing number of Gladstone drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Gladstone traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Gladstone traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Gladstone, 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 Gladstone traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Gladstone, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Gladstone defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get 24/7 access to the Gladstone criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Gladstone, from a small moving violation for speeding to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Gladstone, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.