Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Blue Valley, MO. If you think a misdemeanor is no big deal in Blue Valley, MO, think again. A conviction can affect everything from your future career to a child custody battle. Finding a deal and/or fighting for your innocence is essential. That all starts by working with a top Blue Valley, MO misdemeanor defense lawyer.
Combs Waterkotte is here to serve you. We have handled over 15,000 cases, and are ready to begin working on yours today. When you work with one of our misdemeanor defense attorneys, we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
Every criminal charge needs to be taken seriously. To speak with a skilled misdemeanor defense lawyer, call us at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, confidential consult.
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What a Leading Blue Valley, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
If you’re being accused of a misdemeanor, your first reaction might be “Thank goodness it’s not a felony.” While this is true, you need to be careful about underestimating the charges. Your defense attorney should guide you through common slip-ups people make and provide expert insights.
If you don’t have a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- A district attorney who has no reason to cut you a break
- Days, weeks, or months of jail time
- Fines and court fees
- A criminal record that’s available to the public
- In some cases, a loss of your firearm rights
But when you work with a knowledgeable local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- A custom defense that is designed for your situation
- Leverage for plea deals through court and prosecutor relationships
- Significantly improved chances of a positive outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Realistic projects on your case, and possible outcomes
Your rights matters. Protecting your reputation matters. And who you choose to represent you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, will stand by your side the whole way, and we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
What You Need to Know About Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Blue Valley, MO
While individual laws can be very different, the difference between misdemeanors and felonies as categories is easier to understand: a misdemeanor has a maximum punishment of less than a year in jail, while a felony can carry penalties of more than one year. While there isn’t technically a limit on how long a “felony” sentence can be, in Missouri, the maximum is either thirty years or a life sentence.
Missouri uses a system to classify different levels of misdemeanors and felonies, with class A being the most serious of each. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled defense attorney may be able to negotiate your felony accusations to be reduced to a misdemeanor. If you want to read about the different misdemeanor classes, we have a section outlining them below.
Can Misdemeanors Become Felonies?
Sometimes, the same action on paper can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge is determined by a combination of prosecutorial discretion and the overall circumstances.
An easy way for an alleged misdemeanor to turn into a felony in Blue Valley, MO, is by resisting arrest. If a police officer places you under arrest, and you struggle against them, this is normally a class A misdemeanor. However, if in the process you put others in danger, this can be escalated to a class E felony.
When facing these types of charges, you can’t settle for just any Blue Valley, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer. It’s important that they can also be your felony defense attorney, should the case come to that.
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Blue Valley, MO Misdeameanor Classes Our Attorneys Defend
There are four different classes of misdemeanors in Missouri. Your Blue Valley, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer from Combs Waterkotte can help you fight any of them. To learn more about the potential penalties for each, you can read the descriptions below:
Class A Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class A misdemeanors are the most serious, with up to 1 year in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines.
Examples: Vandalizing a cemetary, making a false ID to buy alcohol, and lying to the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Class B Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class B misdemeanors don’t have as high of penalties as class A, but they still need to be taken seriously. A conviction could mean up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines.
Examples: Speeding in excess of 20mph, owning a defaced firearm, and violating state wildlife statutes.
Class C Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class C misdemeanors offer the least amount of jail time, with a maximum of 15 days, but still can face steep fines of up to $750.
Examples: Driving on the highway with unsecured cargo, animal neglect, and littering.
Class D Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class D misdemeanors still can impact your life, but normally the least of any misdemeanor class. They can carry a fine of up to $500, but no jail time.
Examples: Thefts of property under $150 in value, minor in possession of alcohol, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
When you work with a leading Blue Valley, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer, you get insights on the best ways to handle your charges. Without one, you can slip up without even realizing it, and put your freedom in jeopardy.
Steps to Pick a Blue Valley, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
The steps to choose a Blue Valley, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer might seem straightforward. But that doesn’t mean you can take it lightly. The right attorney can help you find defenses you wouldn’t have thought of. The wrong one won’t give your case the attention it deserves.
Follow these steps to determine what attorney is right for you:
- Start contacting local Blue Valley, MO, attorneys – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask what their history is with your charges – Someone who’s fought these cases before will have a better idea of effective defenses.
- Ask if they have any initial plans to defend you – While defense strategies can change over time, you want your lawyer to start with a plan.
- Ask about relationships with the local court – This not only gives them an edge in trial, but also gives your attorney something to lean on in plea negotiations.
- Ask about fees/pricing transparency – Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should be transparent when discussing fees, not evasive.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Look online for reviews and past victories.
When you ask the right questions and conduct research, you’ll be much more likely to find the right criminal defense attorney.
Red Flags to Avoid
It takes thoughtful consideration to decide on the right misdemeanor defense lawyer in Blue Valley, MO. Red flags like a lack of experience, unrealistically positive expectations, and a lack of empathy should turn you away. This is why that matters:
- Lack of Experience – If your attorney hasn’t defended cases similar to yours in the past, they may not know the most effective tactics.
- Unrealistically Positive Expectations – A lawyer with your best interests in mind will be honest with you, even if it’s news that you don’t want to hear.
- Lack of Empathy – Your attorney should treat you like a person, not a case number. A compassionate lawyer won’t settle for a “just good enough” outcome for clients.
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Expungement: How Your Blue Valley, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Fight Collateral Consequences
What are the long-term impacts of a criminal conviction? They can be wide-reaching, even for a misdemeanor:
- Employment consequences, such as being denied a job or security clearance
- Housing challenges when applying to rent
- Losing your driving privileges in DWI cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
What’s worse, in Blue Valley, MO, there is no expiration date for the majority of misdemeanors. That said, for most misdemeanor convictions, you do have an option to clear your record: Expungement.
If you can get your misdemeanor conviction expunged, it will prevent future employers, landlords, and more from being able to see it. This counteracts many of the collateral consequences of your conviction. To be eligible, you need to fit the following criteria:
- Expungement is allowed for the specific crime you were convicted of.
- You have, at most, expunged two misdemeanors in the past.
- Enough time has passed (one year post sentence) without you receiving another conviction.
- You don’t owe the court any payments for fines, fees, etc..
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
When you work with the right Blue Valley, MO misdemeanor defense lawyer, they’ll stay by your side even if you are convicted. They shouldn’t give up once the plea is in or the trial is over. Your attorney can do more than defend yourself – they can help you get a fresh start.
Get Help From an Expert Blue Valley, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Today: Call Combs Waterkotte
At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to providing high-quality legal service to all Blue Valley, MO residents. By choosing our misdemeanor defense lawyers, you are setting yourself up for a positive outcome.
We’re here to help good people in bad situations, and are ready to fight for your rights. Call today at (314) 900-HELP or use our contact form online.
