Criminal Defense Attorney in Nodaway County, 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, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that many citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many situations, you will be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can work or live.
The winning Nodaway County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Nodaway County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Nodaway County 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 Nodaway County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Nodaway County, MO criminal case.
Nodaway County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Nodaway County and Missouri.
Nodaway County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Being arrested is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened level of legal acumen and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in 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 get a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Nodaway County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Nodaway County, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Nodaway County-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably harrowing experience behind them. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.
A Full-Service Nodaway County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The skilled Nodaway County, 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 Nodaway County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get 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 will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.
With your freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off reaching out to a Nodaway County 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 get to work building a defense strategy 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 speak to a Nodaway County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.
Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences
A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, county jail time, 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. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.
If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Nodaway County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Nodaway County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.
Nodaway County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Nodaway County and Missouri.
Punishments for Felony Charges in Nodaway County, Missouri
Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. Based 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 outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be determined 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.
However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on 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 Nodaway County representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less serious.
You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Nodaway County, 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, 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
The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Nodaway County, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Nodaway County, 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 Nodaway County, 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.
Being given a traffic ticket in Nodaway County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Nodaway County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing increased penalties.
More and more Nodaway County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Nodaway County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure 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 not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Nodaway County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Nodaway County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Nodaway County traffic ticket fixed.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Nodaway County, 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 Nodaway County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Finding the right Nodaway County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Nodaway County 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 Nodaway County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.
When you are facing criminal charges in Nodaway County, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Nodaway County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.