Criminal Defense Attorney Neosho, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Neosho, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but after your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many cases, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Neosho, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Neosho-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Neosho 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 Neosho clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Neosho, MO criminal case.

Neosho, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra stage of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are 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 get a guilty plea, ensure 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 Neosho, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Neosho, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Neosho area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Neosho, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Neosho, 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 Neosho, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Neosho, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, 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 barred 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 job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, all hope is not lost. 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. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Neosho, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Neosho, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Neosho, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will take into account information such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so a crime usually 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Neosho representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony 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 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 you are guilty. Contact our Neosho, 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 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 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 Neosho, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Neosho, 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 Neosho-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 Neosho, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Neosho traffic ticket, you essentially 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 usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Neosho drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Neosho traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor 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, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Neosho traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Neosho, 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 Neosho traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Neosho, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Neosho defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get 24/7 access to the Neosho criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

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