Criminal Defense Attorney in Glendale, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a minor crime could force you to pay a sizable fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years in the Missouri state prisons, but after your reentry into society you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often severely limits where they can live or work.
The experienced Glendale, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Glendale-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes good people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Glendale criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Glendale clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Glendale, 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.
Glendale, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra stage of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often brags 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 a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Glendale, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Glendale, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — be it 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 Glendale area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Glendale, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The proficient Glendale, 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 Glendale, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Whether 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 hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a Glendale 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 talk to a Glendale, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.
Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences
Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. 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 will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited from owning 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 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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Glendale, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Glendale, MO defense attorneys can do to 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.
Punishments for Felony Charges in Glendale, Missouri
Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity. Based 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
In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information including the situation surrounding the crime, your personal 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 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. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Glendale criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony 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 demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Glendale, MO criminal defense attorneys.
Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri
As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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
Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced in certain cases. 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 Glendale, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Glendale, 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 Glendale, MO area can help you through our excellent 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.
Being given a traffic ticket in Glendale, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Glendale traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.
More and more Glendale drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Glendale traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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 influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Glendale traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Glendale, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Glendale traffic ticket fixed.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Glendale, 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 Glendale, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Choosing the right Glendale, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Glendale 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 receive 24/7 access to the Glendale 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 your case, the legal process, or any other topic.
When you are facing criminal charges in Glendale, from a small moving violation for speeding to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call 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 skilled Glendale, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.