Criminal Defense Attorney in Kennett, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Kennett, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Even a conviction for a small infraction could cause you to pay an expensive 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 prison system, but following your release you will no longer be entitled to certain privileges or rights that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many situations, you will be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Kennett, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Kennett-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Kennett 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 Kennett clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Kennett, MO criminal case.

Kennett, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require a heightened amount of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment 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 resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Kennett, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Kennett, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Kennett-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably 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 Kennett, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Kennett, 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 Kennett, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a Kennett area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Kennett, MO or anywhere in Missouri. 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 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 Kennett, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

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 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 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 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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Kennett, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Kennett, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Kennett, 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

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. They will take into account factors including the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning what is typically classified as 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 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 Kennett representing you, 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 could argue 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 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 take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Kennett, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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 based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. 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 Kennett, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Kennett, 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 Kennett-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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Kennett, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Kennett traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Kennett drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Kennett traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Kennett traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in Kennett, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Kennett traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Violent Crimes Lawyer

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

Choosing the right Kennett, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Kennett defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive anytime access to the Kennett criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Kennett, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 experiences working with the experienced Kennett, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.