Criminal Defense Attorney Linn County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Linn County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a small infraction could force you to pay a large fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many cases, you could be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually heavily limits where they can live or work.

The winning Linn County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Linn County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning is notable among Linn County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Linn County 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 Linn County, MO criminal case.

Linn County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra amount of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, ensure 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 Linn County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Linn County, MO is not afraid 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 who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Linn County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Linn County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Linn 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 Linn County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life on the line, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait 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 a sound approach to your case 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Linn County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. 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. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are barred 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not panic. 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 Linn County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Linn County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Linn County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity of the crime. 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 – no more than 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 factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors 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 classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Linn County representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less severe.

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 is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Linn County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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, 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 Linn County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Linn 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 Linn County-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent traffic law 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 Linn County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Linn County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

An increasing number of Linn County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Linn 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 ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Linn County 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 issued a traffic ticket in Linn 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 getting your Linn County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Hire Your Linn County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Linn County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Linn County 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 get round-the-clock access to the Linn County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Linn County, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Linn County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.