Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO. Some people dismiss misdemeanor accusations because they aren’t felonies. Don’t make that mistake. You could be facing more than just a fine: Jail time, a criminal record, and more can follow you throughout your life. You need to put together an effective defense. That all starts by working with a top Excelsior Estates, 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. We don’t settle for “good enough” for our clients – we keep fighting to get the best outcome possible.
We will treat you and your case with respect, no matter what the allegation is. To speak with a skilled misdemeanor defense lawyer, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a no-obligation consultation.
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What an Experienced Excelsior Estates, 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.
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
- Days, weeks, or months of jail time
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t consider your situation
- In some cases, this could negatively impact custody battles
But when you work with a knowledgeable local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- A defensive strategy tailored to your case
- Leverage for plea deals through court and prosecutor relationships
- Significantly improved chances of a favorable outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Open, honest insights on the best way forward for your situation
Your rights matters. Protecting your reputation matters. And who you choose to represent you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, want to deliver you the best outcome possible for your case, and will stick with you all the way.
What’s the Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies in Excelsior Estates, 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. 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, generally with nothing in between.
Missouri classifies its misdemeanors and felonies from A to D and E, respectively. Sometimes, lower-level felonies (class D or E) can be reduced to a misdemeanor when your defense attorney negotiates a favorable plea deal. 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 Excelsior Estates, 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.
When facing these types of charges, you can’t settle for just any Excelsior Estates, 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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Excelsior Estates, MO Misdeameanor Classes Our Attorneys Defend
There are four different classes of misdemeanors in Missouri. 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 Excelsior Estates:
Class A Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class A misdemeanors have the highest potential penalties, with up to 1 year in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines.
Examples: Vandalizing a cemetary, selling fireworks without a permit, and general probation/parole violations.
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 in excess of 20mph, owning a defaced firearm, and many forms of trespassing.
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, minor in possession of alcohol, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
When you work with a leading Excelsior Estates, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer, you get insights on the best ways to handle your charges. Without one, you could miss out on potential plea deals or plead guilty without understanding the consequences.
Steps to Pick a Excelsior Estates, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Excelsior Estates, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. But it is important to get it right. 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:
- Reach out to Excelsior Estates, MO attorneys immediately – Don’t wait while the prosecution gets a head start.
- Ask if they have previously fought these (or related) charges – Someone who’s fought these cases before will have a better idea of effective defenses.
- Ask about potential defense strategies – Ideally, your attorney should have an initial plan for how to defend you.
- Ask about their knowledge of the prosecutor – Many plea deals depend on connections with the state.
- Ask about how payments will work – You want to work with a misdemeanor defense lawyer who will charge you fairly.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Look online for reviews and peer endorsements.
Now that you know how to find a good criminal defense attorney, it’s time to start making calls.
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Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers and Expungement in Excelsior Estates, MO
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just for a misdemeanor:
- Career consequences, such as losing out on a professional license
- Financial costs from fines, court fees, and more expenses
- Firearm rights in domestic violence cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Citizenship eligibility hurdles for immigrants
What’s worse, in Excelsior Estates, MO, there is no expiration date for the majority of misdemeanors. However, through expungement, you do have a path forward to clear your name.
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:
- 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.
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Excelsior Estates, MO, court. After a case, your attorney can help you decide on the best course to move your life forward. 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 Excelsior Estates, MO
Combs Waterkotte takes Excelsior Estates, 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.
Don’t let your life be defined by one bad choice. Speak with one of our team members at (314) 900-HELP or use our contact form online.
