Criminal Defense Attorney Lexington, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lexington, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Just a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your release you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many cases, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The winning Lexington, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Lexington-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning is notable among Lexington criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Lexington clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Lexington, MO criminal case.

Lexington, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating in itself, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require a heightened level of legal intelligence and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often brags that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to coax a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Lexington, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Lexington, MO is not scared 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 protected many Lexington-area residents who were facing all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 Lexington, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Lexington, 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 Lexington, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Lexington, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can get to work building a sound approach to 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 Lexington, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited from owning 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 is an obvious impairment to moving forward in life.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Lexington, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Lexington, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Lexington, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. Depending 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 – 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 depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. They will weigh information including the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning what is usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have 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. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Lexington representing you, what was originally a Class B charge 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 lesser punishment.

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 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 Lexington, 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, 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 based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. 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 Lexington, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lexington, 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 Lexington-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 Lexington, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Lexington traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be facing increased penalties.

An increasing number of Lexington drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lexington traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even small 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Lexington 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 written a traffic ticket in Lexington, 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 Lexington traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Sex Crimes Lawyer
• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Violent Crimes Lawyer
• Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
• Weapons Crime Attorney

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

Finding the right Lexington, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Lexington defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will get 24/7 access to the Lexington 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 any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Lexington, from a small moving violation for speeding to serious 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 you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Lexington, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.