Criminal Defense Attorney Kirkwood, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Kirkwood, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could force you to pay a large fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many cases, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which often heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Kirkwood-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of success is notable among Kirkwood criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Kirkwood clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call 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

An allegation of any crime is stressful enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require an extra level of legal acumen and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 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 pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Kirkwood, MO is not scared to square 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 helped many Kirkwood-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 Kirkwood, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

• 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 Kirkwood, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 on the line, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate reaching out 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 your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorney 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 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 so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 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 believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Kirkwood, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Kirkwood, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Kirkwood, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity. Depending 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

In the end, the outcome of 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 will be determined by the judge. They will take into account information such as the specific circumstances of 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 considered 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Kirkwood criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 your case for your innocence is sound 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 decide whether or not to find you 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

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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. 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 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 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 written a traffic ticket in Kirkwood, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Kirkwood traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.

Many Kirkwood drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Kirkwood traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down 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 an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Kirkwood traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Kirkwood, 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 getting your Kirkwood traffic ticket fixed.

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.

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Kirkwood, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Kirkwood, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Kirkwood defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive 24/7 access to the Kirkwood criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Kirkwood, from a simple moving violation for speeding 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 invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.