Criminal Defense Attorney in Ladue, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ladue, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a minor crime could force you to pay an expensive fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many situations, you could be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many people rise above criminal allegations in the Ladue, MO area. Our firm understands that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Ladue 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 Ladue clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Ladue, MO criminal case.

Ladue, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra caliber of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment 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 Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ladue, 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 passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Ladue-area residents who were facing all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly scary 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 Ladue, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Ladue, 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 Ladue, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy 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 Ladue, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. 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 once you are labeled a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from purchasing or possessing 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious limination to moving forward in life.

If you have already received a felony conviction 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 in some cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Ladue, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Ladue, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Ladue, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh 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, meaning a crime usually 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Ladue representing you, 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 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 you have a strong case 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 to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Ladue, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ladue, 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 Ladue-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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Ladue, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Ladue traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.

More and more Ladue drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ladue traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small 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 premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Ladue traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 Ladue, 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 Ladue traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Drug Crimes Lawyer
• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys

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

Choosing the right Ladue, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Ladue defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive anytime access to the Ladue criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Ladue, from a small moving violation for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.