Criminal Defense Attorney Clayton, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Clayton, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a minor infraction could force you to pay a hefty fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many cases, you will be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely limits where they can work or live.

The winning Clayton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Clayton-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Clayton 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 Clayton clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Clayton, MO criminal case.

Clayton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is stressful enough, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra stage of legal knowledge and focus. 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 roughly 90 percent. The vast 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 all the stops to get a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Clayton, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Clayton, MO is not scared to face 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 Clayton-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly 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 Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

• 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 Clayton, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out to a Clayton area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward 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 talk to a Clayton, MO criminal defense attorney 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 could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, 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 barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious obstacle to moving forward in life.

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 pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Clayton, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Clayton, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Clayton, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. 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

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is up to 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.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Clayton criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

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 demonstrating your innocence 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Clayton, 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, 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 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 Clayton, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Clayton, 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 Clayton-based defense attorneys 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Clayton traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be staring down 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, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Clayton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Clayton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop 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 premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Clayton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Clayton, 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 begin the process of getting your Clayton traffic ticket fixed.

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

Hire Your Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Clayton, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Clayton 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 have round-the-clock access to the Clayton criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Clayton, from a small moving violation for an improper lane change to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Clayton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.