Criminal Defense Attorney Ste. Genevieve, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ste. Genevieve, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay a sizable fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you subject to several years in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release from prison you will no longer have certain privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many cases, you could be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often drastically limits where they can live or work.

The winning Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Ste. Genevieve-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Ste. Genevieve criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal case.

Ste. Genevieve, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require a heightened stage 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 roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming 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, 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 Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ste. Genevieve, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Ste. Genevieve-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 Ste. Genevieve, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Ste. Genevieve, 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 Ste. Genevieve, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your very life on the line, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Ste. Genevieve, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, 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 lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious limination to moving forward in life.

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. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Ste. Genevieve, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Ste. Genevieve, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Ste. Genevieve, 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 – no more than 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 factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. They will take into account information such as the specific circumstances of 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 classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have 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 Ste. Genevieve criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain 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 you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor refuses 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 determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Ste. Genevieve, 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 classified 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, 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 Ste. Genevieve, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ste. Genevieve, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our defense attorneys in the Ste. Genevieve, MO area 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.

Being written a traffic ticket in Ste. Genevieve, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Ste. Genevieve 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 dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.

Many Ste. Genevieve drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ste. Genevieve traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Ste. Genevieve traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Ste. Genevieve, 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 fixing your Ste. Genevieve traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Ste. Genevieve, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Ste. Genevieve 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 get 24/7 access to the Ste. Genevieve criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Ste. Genevieve, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.