Criminal Defense Attorney Smithville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Smithville, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a minor crime could cause you to pay a large fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but following your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many cases, you will be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often heavily limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Smithville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Smithville-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that sometimes good 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 Smithville criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Smithville clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Smithville, MO criminal case.

Smithville, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to induce a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Smithville, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Smithville, 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 fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Smithville area and helped them put what is an unquestionably troubling 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 Smithville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Smithville, 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 Smithville, 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 can rest assured that you will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a Smithville area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Smithville, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 talk to a Smithville, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

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 encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Smithville, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Smithville, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Smithville, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning a crime typically 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 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Smithville criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a less serious.

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 demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor refuses 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Smithville, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Smithville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Smithville, 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 Smithville-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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.

Being given a traffic ticket in Smithville, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Smithville traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Smithville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Smithville traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Smithville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Smithville, 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 getting your Smithville traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Sex Crimes Lawyer
• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Violent Crimes Lawyer
• Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Smithville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Smithville, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Smithville defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will receive anytime access to the Smithville criminal defense lawyer 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 anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Smithville, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to serious 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 time working with the experienced Smithville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.