Criminal Defense Attorney in Mehlville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Mehlville, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but after your reentry into society you will no longer enjoy additional rights or privileges that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely limits where they can work or live.

The winning Mehlville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Mehlville-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that people with good intetions 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 impressive history of success is notable among Mehlville criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Mehlville 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 Mehlville, MO criminal case.

Mehlville, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened caliber of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast 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 stop at nothing to get a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Mehlville, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Mehlville, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many Mehlville-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 Mehlville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Mehlville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Mehlville, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your very life at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Mehlville, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 Mehlville, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are required 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 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 pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Mehlville, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Mehlville, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Mehlville, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. 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 variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including 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, so what is typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen for some defendants with prior convictions or in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Mehlville criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 you have a strong case but the prosecutor is not willing 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Mehlville, 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 grouped into categories 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 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 Mehlville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Mehlville, 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 defense attorneys in the Mehlville, MO area 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Mehlville, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Mehlville traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.

A growing number of Mehlville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Mehlville traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Mehlville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Mehlville, 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 Mehlville traffic ticket fixed.

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

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

Choosing the right Mehlville, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Mehlville defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get anytime access to the Mehlville criminal defense lawyer that is 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 Mehlville, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to 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 skilled Mehlville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.