Criminal Defense Attorney Lincoln County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lincoln County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand 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, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to several years locked up in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Lincoln County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Lincoln County, MO area. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Lincoln County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, MO criminal case.

Lincoln County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra amount of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 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, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Lincoln County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample 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 Lincoln County, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Lincoln County area and helped them 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 Lincoln County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Lincoln County, 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 Lincoln County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. Regardless of whether you are facing 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, you need someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait talking 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 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 Lincoln County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction for even a low class misdemeanor could result in 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 will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from owning 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 job or rental applications, 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. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Lincoln County, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Lincoln County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Lincoln County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as 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, so a crime 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. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Lincoln County criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

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 demonstrating your innocence 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Lincoln County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like 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 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 Lincoln County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lincoln County, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Lincoln 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Lincoln County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Lincoln County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Lincoln County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lincoln County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch Lincoln County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Lincoln County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Lincoln County traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Lincoln County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Lincoln County defense attorneys, our firm places total client 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 Lincoln County 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 have been indicted on criminal charges in Lincoln County, from a simple moving violation for speeding to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Lincoln County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.