Criminal Defense Attorney in Kirkwood, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Kirkwood, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a small infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many instances, you could be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Kirkwood-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning is notable among Kirkwood criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Kirkwood clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Kirkwood, MO criminal case.

Kirkwood, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra caliber of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises 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 coax a guilty plea, make sure 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 Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Kirkwood, MO is not afraid to square off against any opponent — be it 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 Kirkwood area and helped them put what is a certainly scary 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 Kirkwood, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Kirkwood, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

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 put off talking to a Kirkwood area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Kirkwood, 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 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 Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled 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 holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are required 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 have already received a felony conviction or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Kirkwood, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Kirkwood, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Kirkwood, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided 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, so what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have 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. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Kirkwood criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less serious.

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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor refuses 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 determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Kirkwood, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Kirkwood, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood-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 Kirkwood, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Kirkwood traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

Many Kirkwood drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Kirkwood traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Kirkwood traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Kirkwood, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Kirkwood defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will have 24/7 access to the Kirkwood criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Kirkwood, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.