Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Edgerton, MO. Don’t underestimate the impact of misdemeanor charges. A conviction can affect everything from your ability to keep your job to a child custody battle. Finding a deal and/or fighting for your innocence is essential. That all starts by working with a top Edgerton, MO misdemeanor defense lawyer.
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 reach out to us online for a no-obligation case review.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
The Importance of Working With an Experienced Edgerton, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
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:
- The police, witnesses, and a prosecutor who want to see you behind bars
- A jail sentence that will tear you away from your job and family
- Fines and court fees
- A criminal record that’s available to the public
- 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
- Local connections that help you secure favorable plea deals
- Significantly improved chances of a positive outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Open, honest insights on the best way forward for your situation
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 Edgerton, 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.
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. You can learn more about the different classifications of misdemeanors 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.
DWIs in Edgerton, MO, can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending mostly on your prior record. In Missouri, Your first two DWI convictions in Missouri are each misdemeanors, while any subsequent ones are considered felonies.
If you’re in a situation like this, you don’t just need a Edgerton, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer. You need someone with experience as a felony charge lawyer who will fight for the lesser charge level.
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs answers the most commonly asked questions about Criminal Defense Cases in …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs answers the most commonly asked questions about Criminal Defense Cases in …
Edgerton, MO Misdeameanor Classes Our Attorneys Defend
There are four different classes of misdemeanors in Missouri. Whichever one you’re facing, a Edgerton, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can help you face it. Below, you can read about the different categories and common examples of each in Edgerton:
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 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, prostitution, 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: Running a red light, unlawfully keeping a child from attending school, 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, minor in possession of alcohol, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
An experienced Edgerton, 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.
Steps to Pick a Edgerton, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Edgerton, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. 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.
If you use the below steps to assess potential lawyers, you’ll have a good idea of who to work with:
- Start talking to Edgerton, MO attorneys right away – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask about experience with these types of cases – You want to work with someone who knows how to handle your charges.
- Ask about potential defense strategies – Ideally, your attorney should have an initial plan for how to defend you.
- Ask about their relationship with the district attorney – This not only gives them an edge in trial, but also gives your attorney something to lean on in plea negotiations.
- Ask about the cost – Your misdemeanor defense lawyer shouldn’t see you as a paycheck; they should explain how the expenses will work in a clear, understandable way.
- Look up the attorney’s history – Research online for reviews and testimonials.
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 Edgerton, 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. This is why that matters:
- Little Prior 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.
- Disinterested Attitude – A disinterested attorney might not give your case the attention it deserves, or put in the effort to keep you informed.
Free book
How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Charged with a crime? The lawyer you hire matters. Combs Waterkotte, recognized for top-tier criminal defense in Missouri and Illinois, created this guide to help you find the right attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
How a Edgerton, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Expunge Your Record
What are the long-term impacts of a criminal conviction? They can be wide-reaching, even for a misdemeanor:
- Employment consequences, such as automatic suspensions from public jobs
- Strained familial relationships from separation and stress
- Damage to your reputation
- The potential loss of custody of your children, if contested
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
What’s worse, in Edgerton, MO, there is no expiration date for the majority of misdemeanors. But Missouri does offer a path to clear its citizens’ records: Expungement.
After an expungement, most people, outside of some government agencies, won’t be able to see that conviction on your record. By expunging your misdemeanor records, you are taking a major step towards getting your life bac. To be eligible, the follow needs to apply:
- The conviction in question is eligible for expungement.
- You haven’t expunged more than two prior misdemeanors.
- 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.
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Edgerton, MO, court. 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.
Combs Waterkotte’s Edgerton, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers are Ready to Represent You Today
At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to providing high-quality legal service to all Edgerton, MO residents. By choosing our misdemeanor defense lawyers, you are setting yourself up for a positive outcome.
Give yourself another chance. Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us how we can help you online.
