Criminal Defense Attorney Warren County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Warren County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a small 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 magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to several years in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release from prison you will no longer have certain privileges or rights that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many cases, you could be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Warren County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Warren County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Warren County 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 Warren County, MO criminal case.

Warren County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra level of legal knowledge and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Warren County, MO is not afraid to face 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 helped many Warren County-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably scary 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 Warren County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 Warren County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. 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 fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a Warren County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Warren County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 Warren County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. 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 prohibited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Warren County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Warren County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Warren County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Warren County representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain 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 present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, the maximum punishment allowed for a misdemeanor is a year in jail, and in many cases no jail time is required, but rather the payment of a fine.

• 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, in misdemeanor cases your defense attorney can often help you avoid serving jail time in favor of 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 Warren County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Warren County, 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 Warren County-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in Warren County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Warren County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

Many Warren County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Warren County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to every single one of 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch Warren County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Warren 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 start the process of fixing your Warren County traffic ticket.

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

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Warren County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right Warren County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Warren County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get anytime access to the Warren County 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 anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Warren County, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.