Criminal Defense Attorney in Sunset Hills, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Sunset Hills, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a minor infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release you will no longer have certain privileges or rights 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 could be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often severely limits where they can live or work.

The winning Sunset Hills, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Sunset Hills-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning is notable among Sunset Hills 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 Sunset Hills clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Sunset Hills, MO criminal case.

Sunset Hills, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened amount of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Sunset Hills, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Sunset Hills, MO is not scared to square off against 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 Sunset Hills area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Sunset Hills, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Sunset Hills, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Sunset Hills, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off talking to a Sunset Hills area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Sunset Hills, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Sunset Hills, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, 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 as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from purchasing or possessing 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon 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 seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Sunset Hills, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Sunset Hills, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Sunset Hills, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by the judge. They will weigh information 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, meaning a crime typically considered 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Sunset Hills criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.

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 but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Sunset Hills, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Sunset Hills, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills-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.

Being given a traffic ticket in Sunset Hills, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Sunset Hills traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

Many Sunset Hills drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Sunset Hills traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our exceptional Sunset Hills 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 written a traffic ticket in Sunset Hills, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Sunset Hills traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Sunset Hills, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Sunset Hills defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Sunset Hills criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Sunset Hills, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Sunset Hills, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.