Criminal Defense Attorney Madison County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Madison County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a minor infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years in the Missouri state prison system, but following your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many situations, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Madison County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Madison County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes good people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the damage criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning cases is notable among Madison 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 Madison County 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 Madison County, MO criminal case.

Madison County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra amount of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly brags 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 induce a guilty plea, make sure 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 Madison County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Madison County, MO is not scared to face 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 stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Madison County area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Madison County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Madison County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 Madison 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 will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. 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 hanging in the balance, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off speaking to a Madison County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Madison County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building 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 Madison County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 obstacle to moving forward in life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Madison County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Madison County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Madison County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime typically 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 in 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 Madison County representing you, 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 may be able to get you a less severe.

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 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 our Madison County, 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 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. 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 Madison County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Madison County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Madison County, MO area can help you through our expert 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 given a traffic ticket in Madison County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Madison County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally 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 period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

A growing number of Madison County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Madison County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced 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 police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier Madison County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in Madison 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 begin the process of fixing your Madison County traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Madison 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
• Weapons Crime Attorney

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

Selecting the right Madison County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Madison 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 anytime access to the Madison County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Madison County, from a simple traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Madison County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.