Criminal Defense Attorney Johnson County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Johnson County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your release you will no longer have additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many instances, you could be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often severely curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Johnson County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Johnson County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning cases is notable among Johnson 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 Johnson County 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 Johnson County, MO criminal case.

Johnson County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened caliber of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are 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 Johnson County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Johnson County, MO is not scared 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 Johnson County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably troubling 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 Johnson County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Johnson County, 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 Johnson County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not wait reaching out to a Johnson County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Johnson County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. 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 Johnson County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. 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 in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited 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 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 a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Johnson County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Johnson County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Johnson County, Missouri

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 conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including 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 typically 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Johnson County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less serious.

You may also be able to avoid a criminal conviction altogether, 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Johnson County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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 in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Johnson County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Johnson County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Johnson County-based defense attorneys 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.

Being given a traffic ticket in Johnson County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Johnson County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

Many Johnson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Johnson County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop 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. Most importantly, our top-notch Johnson County 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 Johnson County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Johnson County traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Johnson 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.

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys

Hire Your Johnson County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right Johnson County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Johnson County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get 24/7 access to the Johnson County 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 are looking at criminal charges in Johnson County, from a small moving violation for speeding to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Johnson County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.