Criminal Defense Attorney Union, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Union, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a minor infraction could force you to pay a sizable fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you will be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often severely limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Union, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Union-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our record of winning is notable among Union 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 Union clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Union, MO criminal case.

Union, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened amount of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of around 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 federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Union, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Union, MO is not scared to square 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 Union area and helped them put what is an unquestionably scary 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 Union, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Union, 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 Union, 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-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait talking to a Union area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Union, 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 lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a criminal defense attorney in Union, MO 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, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, 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 limited 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 job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not lose hope. 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 a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Union, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Union, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Union, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity. 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 – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. They will weigh information such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is typically considered 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Union criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony could be dropped down 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 refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 our Union, 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, 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 Union, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Union, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Union, 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 given a traffic ticket in Union, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Union traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

A growing number of Union drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Union traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, 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 Union traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Union, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Union traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Union, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Union defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will have round-the-clock access to the Union criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Union, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Union, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.