Criminal Defense Attorney in Raytown, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Even being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay a hefty fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your reentry into society you will no longer be entitled to additional rights or privileges that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many situations, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically limits where they can work or live.
The winning Raytown, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many people overcome criminal allegations in the Raytown, MO area. Our firm understands 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 ability to live life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Raytown 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 Raytown clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Raytown, MO criminal case.
Jackson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jackson County and Missouri.
Raytown, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
An allegation of any crime is stressful enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened caliber of legal intelligence and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 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 all the stops to coax 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 Raytown, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Raytown, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many Raytown-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Raytown, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The skilled Raytown, 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 Raytown, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 very life at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Raytown, 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 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 Raytown, 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 may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, 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 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 required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which is an obvious limination to moving forward in life.
If you are already a felon 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Raytown, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Raytown, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.
Jackson County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Jackson County and Missouri.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Raytown, Missouri
In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories 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
In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information 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, so what is typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with prior convictions or for crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Raytown criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a less serious.
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 Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Raytown, 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. 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
The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Raytown, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Raytown, MO
Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our Raytown-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.
Getting a traffic ticket in Raytown, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Raytown traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.
A growing number of Raytown drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Raytown traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every 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, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Raytown traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Raytown, 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 start the process of fixing your Raytown traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Raytown, 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
- DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
Hire Your Raytown, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Choosing the right Raytown, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Raytown defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will have anytime access to the Raytown 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 facing criminal charges in Raytown, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call 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 Raytown, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.