Criminal Defense Attorney St. Francois County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Francois County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many situations, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The winning St. Francois County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many St. Francois County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning is notable among St. Francois County 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 St. Francois County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your St. Francois County, MO criminal case.

St. Francois County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to coax a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our St. Francois County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near St. Francois County, MO is not afraid to face off against 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 fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the St. Francois County area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 St. Francois County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled St. Francois 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 St. Francois County, 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-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. Whether 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 in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate talking to a St. Francois 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 sound approach to your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a criminal defense attorney in St. Francois County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited from owning 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 is an obvious obstacle to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in St. Francois County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our St. Francois County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in St. Francois County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. Based 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. They will weigh factors including 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 what is typically classified as 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 in crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented St. Francois County criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able 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 but the prosecutor is not willing 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our St. Francois 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, 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 St. Francois County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In St. Francois 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 St. Francois County-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 St. Francois County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your St. Francois County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 staring down 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, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of St. Francois County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their St. Francois County 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 tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier St. Francois County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in St. Francois 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 start the process of getting your St. Francois County traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading St. Francois 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 St. Francois County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right St. Francois County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other St. Francois County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get round-the-clock access to the St. Francois 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 are looking at criminal charges in St. Francois County, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced St. Francois County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.