Criminal Defense Attorney Platte County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Platte County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years in the Missouri state prison system, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many instances, you could be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Platte County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Platte County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Platte County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Platte County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Platte County, MO criminal case.

Platte County, 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 intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast 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 pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, ensure 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 Platte County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Platte County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Platte County-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably scary 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 Platte County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Platte County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

• 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 Platte County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis-based law 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 hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off reaching out to a Platte 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 dedicate our time and effort toward 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 talk to a Platte County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in 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 may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as 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 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 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 seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Platte County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Platte County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Platte County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to 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 typically 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 in 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Platte County 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 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 demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Platte County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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 in certain cases. 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 Platte County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Platte County, 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 Platte County-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 Platte County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Platte County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

An increasing number of Platte County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Platte County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure 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 an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Platte County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 issued a traffic ticket in Platte 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 Platte County traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Platte County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Platte County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Platte County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Platte County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Platte County, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal 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 that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Platte County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.