Criminal Defense Attorney in Missouri River, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you know the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a small crime could cause you to pay a large fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under 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 prisons, but after your release from prison you will no longer enjoy additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often heavily curtails where they can live or work.
The experienced Missouri River, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Missouri River-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Missouri River criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Missouri River 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 Missouri River, MO criminal case.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Missouri River, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened stage of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to coax a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Missouri River, 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 Missouri River, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many Missouri River-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 Missouri River, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The skilled Missouri River, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:
- 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 Missouri River, 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 criminal defense firm, you will always receive personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate talking to a Missouri River area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a criminal defense attorney in Missouri River, MO about your criminal case.
What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?
A conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. 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. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. 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 is an obvious limination 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 an experienced criminal defense attorney in Missouri River, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Missouri River, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Missouri River, Missouri
In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Depending 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
Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal 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. 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. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Missouri River criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.
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 your case for your innocence is sound 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Missouri River, MO criminal defense attorneys.
Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri
Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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 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 Missouri River, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Missouri River, 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 Missouri River, 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.
Getting a traffic ticket in Missouri River, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Missouri River traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 staring down 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 at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.
An increasing number of Missouri River drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Missouri River traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier Missouri River traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in Missouri River, 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 Missouri River traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Missouri River, 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 Missouri River, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Finding the right Missouri River, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Missouri River 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 receive round-the-clock access to the Missouri River 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 anything else.
When you are facing criminal charges in Missouri River, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Missouri River, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.