Criminal Defense Attorney in Warrenton, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a small crime could force you to pay a large fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that many citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually drastically limits where they can live or work.
The winning Warrenton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Warrenton, MO area. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning is notable among Warrenton criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Warrenton clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Warrenton, MO criminal case.
Warren County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Warren County and Missouri.
Warrenton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is stressful in itself, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened stage of legal intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to get 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 Warrenton, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Warrenton, MO is not afraid 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 Warrenton-area residents who were looking at all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably troubling 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 Warrenton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The skilled Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.
With your very life in jeopardy, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate talking to a Warrenton area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Warrenton, 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 lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a Warrenton, 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. 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 encarcerated in state prisons, 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 barred from purchasing or possessing 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 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, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Warrenton, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Warrenton, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.
Warren County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Warren County and Missouri.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Warrenton, Missouri
In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes based on 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 receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding 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 what is typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen for some defendants with prior convictions or in 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 Warrenton representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor refuses 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 to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Warrenton, MO criminal defense attorneys.
Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri
Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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
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 Warrenton, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Warrenton, MO
Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our Warrenton-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 given a traffic ticket in Warrenton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Warrenton traffic ticket, you effectively 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 drastically 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 again during this window you could be facing stiffer penalties.
More and more Warrenton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Warrenton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Warrenton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Warrenton, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Warrenton traffic ticket fixed.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Choosing the right Warrenton, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Warrenton defense attorneys, our firm places absolute 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 Warrenton criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.
When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Warrenton, from a simple traffic ticket for an improper lane change to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Warrenton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.