Criminal Defense Attorney in O’Fallon, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in O’Fallon, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that most citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred 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 job or housing applications, which usually drastically limits where they can work or live.

The winning O’Fallon, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many O’Fallon-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 lawyers work to minimize the damage criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other O’Fallon criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied O’Fallon 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 O’Fallon, MO criminal case.

O’Fallon, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is stressful in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require a heightened amount of legal acumen and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our O’Fallon, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near O’Fallon, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the O’Fallon area and helped them 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 O’Fallon, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled O’Fallon, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in O’Fallon, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 very life in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in O’Fallon, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, 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 limited from owning 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious limination to moving forward in life.

If you are already a felon 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in O’Fallon, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our O’Fallon, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in O’Fallon, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. They will weigh information such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so a crime usually 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 O’Fallon criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain 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 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our O’Fallon, 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 categorized into groups based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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

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. 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 O’Fallon, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In O’Fallon, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our O’Fallon-based defense attorneys 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 written a traffic ticket in O’Fallon, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your O’Fallon traffic ticket, you effectively 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

Many O’Fallon drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their O’Fallon traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest 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. Most importantly, our top-notch O’Fallon traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in O’Fallon, 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 fixing your O’Fallon traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right O’Fallon, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other O’Fallon defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will get anytime access to the O’Fallon criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in O’Fallon, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced O’Fallon, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.