Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Butler, MO. Whatever you’ve been accused of, it’s important to take misdemeanor charges seriously. 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. And to do that, you need an expert Butler, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer.
Combs Waterkotte is Missouri’s top criminal defense law firm and has handled thousands of cases, many just like yours. Our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial, and will battle the prosecution to protect your freedom.
We will treat you and your case with respect, no matter what the allegation is. To get help navigating this situation, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a no-obligation case review.
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What a Leading Butler, 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.” And while it is less serious than a felony, that doesn’t mean you should take it lightly. A defense attorney can help you avoid mistakes and pitfalls when fighting your case.
Without a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- The police, witnesses, and a prosecutor who want to see you behind bars
- Days, weeks, or months of jail time
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t listen to your side
- In some cases, you could lose custody of your child
But when you work with an experienced local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- A collaborative defense process that is rooted in your side of the story
- 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. Maintaining your reputation matters. And who you choose to represent you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to helping good people in bad situations, and will stick with you all the way.
Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Butler, MO
On paper, the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is not that complex: a misdemeanor has a maximum punishment of less than a year in jail, while a felony can carry penalties of more than one year.
Missouri classifies its misdemeanors and felonies from A to D and E, respectively. The line between felonies and misdemeanors can be a bit fuzzy, though: An experienced criminal defense lawyer will often plea bargain with the prosecution in order to reduce a lower level (class D or E) felony to a misdemeanor. To learn more, read the below section on different misdemeanor classes, their punishments, and examples.
When Can Misdemeanors be Escalated Into Felonies?
Sometimes, the same action on paper can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The main two factors that affect this are prosecutorial discretion and aggravating factors, such as a supposed crime with many alleged victims.
A good example of the misdemeanor vs. felony divide in Missouri is theft offenses. Typically, in Missouri, you can face felony charges for supposedly stealing something worth $750 or more; otherwise, you’re generally looking at misdemeanor charges. But that’s not always the case: For example, taking public utility materials, like gas pipes, is always considered a felony, regardless of the value.
If you’re in a situation like this, you don’t just need a Butler, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer. You need someone with experience as a felony charge lawyer who will fight for the lesser charge level.
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Butler, MO Misdeameanor Classes Our Lawyers Defend
The four different classifications of misdemeanors in Missouri are A, B, C, and D. At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys will defend you against all of them. Below, you can read about the different categories and common examples of each in Butler:
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: Invasion of privacy, making a false ID to buy alcohol, and resisting arrest.
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 more than 20 mph over the limit, misusing 911 phone lines, 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: lying in an affidavit, trying to hurt a police animal, 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, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Regardless of what class your charge is, it’s important to work with an expert Butler, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer to protect your rights and future. Without one, you could miss out on potential plea deals or plead guilty without understanding the consequences.
Steps to Pick a Butler, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
The steps to choose a Butler, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer might seem straightforward. But you still need to take the process very seriously. An expert defense attorney can make the difference between a plea deal and months in jail.
Follow these steps to determine what attorney is right for you:
- Start contacting local Butler, MO, attorneys – Many will offer free case reviews.
- Ask about experience with these types of cases – Experience can give them insights into the most effective defense tactics.
- Ask how they will defend your case – Your attorney should have some initial thoughts on how to best defend your case.
- Ask about their relationship with the district attorney – These can come in handy for securing plea deals.
- Ask about fees/pricing transparency – You want to work with a misdemeanor defense lawyer who will charge you fairly.
- Look up the attorney’s history – Search 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
When you’re conducting these steps, asking the right questions is a good start. But you also need to beware of red flags that indicate this may not be the right attorney for you.
One of the most important things to watch out for is an attorney with little experience. The prosecutor will probably know exactly how to build a case against you, and an inexperienced attorney could easily be outmatched Similarly, beware of attorneys who try to oversell themselves. When the lawyer you’re interviewing is making promises you’re not sure they can back up, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Finally, if the lawyer doesn’t show empathy for you and your situation, you should make some calls to other options. If your lawyer doesn’t care about you, they may not put the effort into your case that it requires. Instead, you want a lawyer who treats you like a person, not a case number.
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Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers and Expungement in Butler, MO
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just for a misdemeanor:
- Career consequences, such as being denied a job or security clearance
- Housing challenges when applying to rent
- Firearm rights in domestic violence cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Citizenship eligibility hurdles for immigrants
What’s worse, in Butler, MO, there is no expiration date for the majority of misdemeanors. However, through expungement, you do have a path forward to clear your name.
After an expungement, most people, outside of some government agencies, won’t be able to see that conviction on your record. This counteracts many of the collateral consequences of your conviction. To be eligible, you need to fit the following criteria:
- The offense is not on a list of ineligible offenses (for example, domestic violence).
- You have, at most, expunged two misdemeanors in the past.
- Enough time has passed (one year post sentence) without you receiving another conviction.
- Everything related to your original case is settled.
- The state is not currently charging you with any wrongdoing.
When you work with the right Butler, MO misdemeanor defense lawyer, they’ll stay by your side even if you are convicted. They should guide you through any options after your case to set you up for success moving forward. Your attorney can do more than defend yourself – they can help you get a fresh start.
Get Help From an Expert Butler, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Today: Call Combs Waterkotte
Combs Waterkotte takes Butler, MO, criminal defense seriously, from class D misdemeanors all the way up to class A felonies. When you work with us, you’re getting an expert misdemeanor defense lawyer who is dedicated to finding you the best outcome possible.
Set yourself up for a positive outcome. Connect with a lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or use our contact form online.
