Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Cleveland, MO. Don’t underestimate the impact of misdemeanor charges. You could go to jail, lose your job, and face numerous other consequences if you’re convicted. Finding a deal and/or fighting for your innocence is essential. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have Cleveland, MO’s leading misdemeanor defense lawyer on your side.
The Combs Waterkotte law firm has saved clients over one million days in jail, including in cases just like yours. We don’t settle for “good enough” for our clients – we keep fighting to get the best outcome possible.
Don’t settle for a subpar defense just because your case is a misdemeanor. To speak with a skilled misdemeanor defense lawyer, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a free, confidential consultation.
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How an Experienced Cleveland, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You
If you’re being accused of a misdemeanor, your first reaction might be “Thank goodness it’s not a felony.” And no one would blame you for thinking that. However, that doesn’t mean your case will be a walk in the park. A defense attorney can help you avoid mistakes and pitfalls when fighting your case.
If you don’t have a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- A district attorney who’s focused on getting a conviction
- Days, weeks, or months of jail time
- Fines and court fees
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t consider your situation
- In some cases, the loss of your driver’s license
But when you work with a knowledgeable local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- Expert insights into your defense
- Access to court relationships for plea negotiations
- Greatly increased odds for a favorable outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Straightforward advice that is applicable to your case
Your liberty matters. Keeping your record clean matters. And the misdemeanor defense attorney you choose matters. At Combs Waterkotte, want to deliver you the best outcome possible for your case, and we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
What You Need to Know About Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Cleveland, MO
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is pretty straightforward: if convicted of a misdemeanor, you could go to jail for up to one year. Meanwhile, if convicted of a felony, you can go to prison for more than one year. Unlike misdemeanors, felonies as a category don’t exactly have a maximum sentence. A conviction of a particularly heinous felony accusation can result in a life prison sentence.
Missouri has different classifications of misdemeanors and felonies to create broad categories of potential criminal punishments. These use letters, with class A being the most serious of either. 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. You can learn more about the different classifications of misdemeanors below.
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.
An easy way for an alleged misdemeanor to turn into a felony in Cleveland, MO, is by resisting arrest. Resisting arrest under typical circumstances is a class A misdemeanor. However, if in the process you put others in danger, this can be escalated to a class E felony.
Protecting yourself in this situation is even more important than usual. You need a misdemeanor defense lawyer who can also be your Cleveland, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Different Misdemeanor Classes in Cleveland, MO
Missouri law divides misdemeanors into four classes, each with its own possible penalties. Your Cleveland, 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 worst ones to be convicted of in Cleveland, with up to 1 year in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines.
Examples: Invasion of privacy, lesser assault charges, and lying to the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Class B Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class B misdemeanors are not as serious as class A misdemeanors, but the penalties can still be life-altering. 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, 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, trying to hurt a police animal, and littering.
Class D Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class D misdemeanors are the least serious in terms of punishment. 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.
An experienced Cleveland, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney can give you new options to fight your case. Without one, it’s easy to make a mistake and find yourself in an even worse situation.
How to Choose a Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Cleveland
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Cleveland, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. But it is important to get it right. Making the right decision will set up your case for a positive outcome, while making the wrong one could set you up for long-term consequences.
If you use the below steps to assess potential lawyers, you’ll have a good idea of who to work with:
- Start talking to Cleveland, MO attorneys right away – Don’t wait while the prosecution gets a head start.
- Ask if they have previously fought these (or similar) charges – Experience can give them insights into the most effective defense tactics.
- 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 their relationship with the district attorney – These can come in handy for securing plea deals.
- Ask about fees/pricing transparency – Your misdemeanor defense lawyer shouldn’t see you as a paycheck; they should explain how the expenses will work in a clear, understandable way.
- 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 Cleveland, MO. Think very carefully before hiring an attorney who seems disinterested in your case, guarantees a positive outcome, or doesn’t have experience in your case area. Here’s why:
- No Experience With Your Case Type – 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 – If your lawyer doesn’t care about you and your wellbeing, they may not take your case seriously.
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Expungement: How Your Cleveland, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Fight Collateral Consequences
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just 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
- The potential loss of custody of your children, if contested
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
What’s worse, in Cleveland, MO, there is no expiration date for the majority of misdemeanors. However, through expungement, you do have a path forward to clear your name.
Expungement allows you to seal records of your arrest and conviction. This is invaluable in moving forward and avoiding the collateral consequences mentioned above. 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.
- At least one year has passed since completing the sentence, and you have not had any further convictions in that time period.
- There are no outstanding fees, fines, or other payments for your case.
- You don’t have any other criminal charges pending.
When you work with the right Cleveland, 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. Expungement can seem complicated on your own, but with the right attorney, it can turn your life around.
Our Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You in Cleveland, MO
Combs Waterkotte takes Cleveland, MO, criminal defense seriously, from class D misdemeanors all the way up to class A felonies. Together, you and your misdemeanor defense lawyer can build a strong defense strategy that guards you against the accusations.
Set yourself up for a positive outcome. Call today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online.
