Criminal Defense Attorney Wayne County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Wayne County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a small crime could force you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several 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 prisons. And even following your release from prison you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many cases, you will be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually heavily limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Wayne County, MO area. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Wayne County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Wayne 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 Wayne County, MO criminal case.

Wayne County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is stressful in itself, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often brags 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 an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to induce a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Wayne County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Wayne County area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Wayne County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Wayne 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 Wayne County, 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 can rest assured that you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future on the line, you need someone to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not wait speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Wayne County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Wayne County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us 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 required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious limination to moving forward in life.

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 able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Wayne County, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Wayne County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Wayne County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case 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, so what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have 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. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Wayne County representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be minimized 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 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 our Wayne County, 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 categorized into groups 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, 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 Wayne County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Wayne 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 Wayne 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Wayne County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Wayne County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Wayne County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Wayne County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to every single 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Wayne County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 issued a traffic ticket in Wayne County, 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 Wayne County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Wayne County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Wayne County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive 24/7 access to the Wayne County 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 have been indicted on criminal charges in Wayne County, from a simple traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.