Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Louis County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Louis County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many situations, you could be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can live or work.

The winning St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many St. Louis County-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 firm works to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning is notable among St. Louis County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied St. Louis County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your St. Louis County, MO criminal case.

St. Louis County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal knowledge and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often boasts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near St. Louis 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 stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the St. Louis County 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 St. Louis County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in St. Louis County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive 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 someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate speaking to a St. Louis County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in St. Louis County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis County, MO 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 could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are barred 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction 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 for certain cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in St. Louis County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our St. Louis County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in St. Louis County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on 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 – no more than seven years in prison
Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is up to the judge. They will take into account factors including the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is typically classified as 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in St. Louis County representing you, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. If your case for your innocence is sound 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 to find you guilty. Contact our St. Louis County, 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 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 in certain cases. 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 St. Louis County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In St. Louis County, 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 St. Louis County-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.

Getting a traffic ticket in St. Louis County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your St. Louis County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.

Many St. Louis County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their St. Louis County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen 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, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional St. Louis County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in St. Louis County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your St. Louis County traffic ticket.

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

Hire Your St. Louis County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right St. Louis County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other St. Louis County 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 round-the-clock access to the St. Louis County 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 have been indicted on criminal charges in St. Louis County, from a simple moving violation for speeding to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced St. Louis County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.