Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Garden City, MO. A misdemeanor conviction can change your life. 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 Garden City, MO’s leading misdemeanor defense lawyer on your side.
Combs Waterkotte is Missouri’s top criminal defense law firm and has handled thousands of cases, many just like yours. We don’t settle for “good enough” for our clients – we keep fighting to get the best outcome possible.
You deserve high-quality legal services, no matter what charge you’re facing. To discover your best path forward, call us at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation case review.
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What a Leading Garden City, 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 no one would blame you for thinking that. However, that doesn’t mean your case will be a walk in the park. Your defense attorney should guide you through common slip-ups people make and provide expert insights.
Without a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- An unforgiving team of state attorneys
- The loss of your freedom
- Fines and court fees that quickly add up
- A criminal record that will show up on job and housing applications
- Depending on the case type, the loss of your driver’s license
But when you work with a knowledgeable local defense attorney, you get:
- A custom defense that is designed for your situation
- Local connections that help you secure favorable plea deals
- Greatly increased odds for a favorable outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Open, honest insights on the best way forward for your situation
Your defense matters. Maintaining your reputation matters. And the misdemeanor defense attorney you choose 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 Garden City, MO?
On paper, the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is not that complex: 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 uses a system to classify different levels of misdemeanors and felonies, with class A being the most serious of each. 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. If you want to read about the different misdemeanor classes, we have a section outlining them below.
Can Misdemeanors Become Felonies?
You might have heard of two alleged crimes in the past that seemed very similar, but one was charged as a misdemeanor and the other a felony. How does that happen? Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge is determined by a combination of prosecutorial discretion and the overall circumstances.
A good example of an alleged crime that could be either a misdemeanor or a felony in Garden City, MO, is a DWI. In Missouri, Your first two DWI convictions in Missouri are each misdemeanors, while any subsequent ones are considered felonies.
Protecting yourself in this situation is even more important than usual. You need a misdemeanor defense lawyer who can also be your Garden City, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Different Misdemeanor Classes in Garden City, MO
Missouri law divides misdemeanors into four classes, each with its own possible penalties. Your Garden City, 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 Garden City, with up to 1 year in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines.
Examples: Thefts of property between $150 and $750 in value, making a false ID to buy alcohol, and general probation/parole violations.
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, prostitution, and fraudulently obtaining a handicap license plate.
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, 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, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
An experienced Garden City, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney can give you new options to fight your case. Without one, you can slip up without even realizing it, and put your freedom in jeopardy.
How to Choose a Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Garden City
The steps to choose a Garden City, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer might seem straightforward. But that doesn’t mean you can take it lightly. 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.
Here’s how to evaluate your options and make a decision:
- Reach out to Garden City, MO attorneys immediately – Don’t wait while the prosecution gets a head start.
- 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 – While defense strategies can change over time, you want your lawyer to start with a plan.
- Ask about their knowledge of the prosecutor – 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 – You want to work with a misdemeanor defense lawyer who will charge you fairly.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Search 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
When deciding on your misdemeanor defense lawyer, you need to evaluate your options carefully. 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 – Overly positive predictions aren’t always possible to deliver on, and could be a sign that the lawyer only cares about making the sale.
- Lack of Empathy – A disinterested attorney might not give your case the attention it deserves, or put in the effort to keep you informed.
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Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers and Expungement in Garden City, MO
Felonies aren’t the only convictions with long-term life impacts. Here’s how a criminal record with a misdemeanor can impact your life:
- Career consequences, such as automatic suspensions from public jobs
- Financial costs from fines, court fees, and more expenses
- Damage to your reputation
- Lower your chance of winning custody battles
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
If you were hoping that a misdemeanor conviction in Garden City will go away after a few years, think again: Missouri does not automatically clear your record of misdemeanors after enough time has passed (with the potential exception of some marijuana-related offenses. 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. By expunging your misdemeanor records, you are taking a major step towards getting your life bac. 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.
- At least one year has passed since completing the sentence, and you have not had any further convictions in that time period.
- Everything related to your original case is settled.
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
When you work with the right Garden City, 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.
Get Help From an Expert Garden City, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Today: Call Combs Waterkotte
Combs Waterkotte takes Garden City, MO, criminal defense seriously, from class D misdemeanors all the way up to class A felonies. By choosing our misdemeanor defense lawyers, you are setting yourself up for a positive outcome.
Don’t let your life be defined by one bad moment. Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or set up a free case review online.
