Criminal Defense Attorney Jefferson City, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Jefferson City, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay a sizable fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many instances, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Jefferson City, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Jefferson City-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes 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 criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of success is notable among Jefferson City criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Jefferson City clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Jefferson City, MO criminal case.

Jefferson City, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra amount of legal acumen and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those 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 get a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Jefferson City, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Jefferson City, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Jefferson City, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 Jefferson City, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Jefferson City, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a criminal defense attorney in Jefferson City, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

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 so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Jefferson City, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Jefferson City, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Jefferson City, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. They will take into account information such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is usually 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Jefferson City criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 is not willing 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Jefferson City, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As 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. 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 Jefferson City, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City-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 written a traffic ticket in Jefferson City, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Jefferson City 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.

Many Jefferson City drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jefferson City traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Jefferson City traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Jefferson City, 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 getting your Jefferson City traffic ticket fixed.

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

Finding the right Jefferson City, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City 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 facing criminal charges in Jefferson City, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Jefferson City, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.