Criminal Defense Attorney Maryville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Maryville, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Even a conviction for a small infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release from prison you will no longer have additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you could be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often drastically limits where they can work or live.

The winning Maryville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Maryville-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of success is notable among Maryville 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 Maryville clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Maryville, MO criminal case.

Maryville, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened level of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often boasts 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 induce a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Maryville, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Maryville, MO is not afraid to face 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 assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Maryville area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 Maryville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Maryville, 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 Maryville, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait talking to a Maryville area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Maryville, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to get in touch with a Maryville, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

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 so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from purchasing or possessing 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious obstacle to living a successful, lawful 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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Maryville, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Maryville, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Maryville, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories 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

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. They will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Maryville criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain 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 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 Maryville, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups 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. 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 Maryville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Maryville, 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 Maryville-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 given a traffic ticket in Maryville, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Maryville traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.

More and more Maryville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Maryville traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Maryville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Maryville, 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 Maryville traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Maryville, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Maryville defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will have 24/7 access to the Maryville criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Maryville, from a small moving violation for speeding to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 experiences working with the skilled Maryville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.