Criminal Defense Attorney in Sullivan, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Sullivan, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Even being convicted of a small infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, serve time in county jail, 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 release you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many situations, you could be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often severely limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Sullivan, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Sullivan-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning cases is notable among Sullivan 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 Sullivan clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Sullivan, MO criminal case.

Sullivan, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require an extra caliber of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to coax a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Sullivan, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Sullivan, MO is not afraid to square off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Sullivan area and helped them put what is an unquestionably harrowing 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 Sullivan, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Sullivan, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Sullivan, Missouri have 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 can be confident that you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 defend your rights. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Sullivan, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building a sound approach to 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 get in touch with a Sullivan, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. 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 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 barred 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 job or rental applications, which is an obvious limination to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Sullivan, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Sullivan, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Sullivan, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Depending 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is up to the judge. They will weigh factors 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, so a crime typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have 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 Sullivan criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.

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 Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Sullivan, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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. 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 Sullivan, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Sullivan, 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 Sullivan, 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 Sullivan, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Sullivan traffic ticket, you essentially 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 greatly 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 facing stiffer penalties.

Many Sullivan drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Sullivan traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Sullivan traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Sullivan, 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 Sullivan traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Sullivan, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Sullivan defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will have anytime access to the Sullivan 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 Sullivan, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Sullivan, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.