Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Gower, MO. If you think a misdemeanor is no big deal in Gower, MO, think again. A conviction can affect everything from your ability to keep your job to a child custody battle. You need to properly contest these charges. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have Gower, MO’s leading misdemeanor defense lawyer on your side.
The Combs Waterkotte law firm has over 60 years of combined trial experience, including fighting cases just like yours. When you work with one of our misdemeanor defense attorneys, we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
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 free, confidential case review.
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How an Experienced Gower, 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. Your defense attorney should guide you through common slip-ups people make and provide expert insights.
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
- The loss of your freedom
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A criminal record that’s available to the public
- Depending on the allegation, the loss of your driver’s license
But when you work with a knowledgeable local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- A custom defense that is designed for your situation
- Access to court relationships for plea negotiations
- Greatly increased odds for a positive outcome
- Expert advice on how to interact with the authorities
- Straightforward advice that is applicable to your case
Your freedom matters. Keeping your record clean matters. And the firm you pick to defend you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, will stand by your side the whole way, and will stick with you all the way.
Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Gower, 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 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. Sometimes, lower-level felonies (class D or E) can be reduced to a misdemeanor when your defense attorney negotiates a favorable plea deal. To learn more, read the below section on different misdemeanor classes, their punishments, and examples.
When Can Misdemeanors be Escalated Into Felonies?
Being accused of a crime is never a good time, but it can be extra stressful when it could be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. This depends in part on prosecutorial discretion, but also depends on the surrounding context.
Resisting arrest is an example of an allegation which could draw either misdemeanor or felony charges. Resisting arrest under typical circumstances is a class A misdemeanor. However, causing or nearly causing harm to others while resisting is a class E felony.
When facing these types of charges, you can’t settle for just any Gower, 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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Different Misdemeanor Classes in Gower, MO
Missouri law divides misdemeanors into four classes, each with its own possible penalties. 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 Gower:
Class A Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class A misdemeanors are the worst ones to be convicted of in Gower, 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 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, 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 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 Gower, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer to protect your rights and future. Without one, it’s easy to make a mistake and find yourself in an even worse situation.
Steps to Pick a Gower, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Gower, 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.
If you use the below steps to assess potential lawyers, you’ll have a good idea of who to work with:
- Reach out to Gower, MO attorneys immediately – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask what their history is with your charges – You want to work with someone who knows how to handle your charges.
- 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 relationships with the local court – These can come in handy for securing plea deals.
- Ask about how payments will work – 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 – Search online for reviews and past victories.
Now that you know how to find a good criminal defense attorney, it’s time to start making calls.
Red Flags to Avoid
When you’re picking your misdemeanor defense lawyer, you want to look for positive signs like prior experience, a good reputation, and local connections. But you also need to watch out for warning signs that this misdemeanor defense lawyer may not be right 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 You also need to watch out for attorneys who “guarantee” a not-guilty outcome. If they promise overly positive results, they might not be being honest about your case.
Lastly, you want to avoid an attorney who is distracted or uninterested in your case. 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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Expungement: How Your Gower, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Fight Collateral Consequences
Felonies aren’t the only convictions with long-term life impacts. Here’s how a criminal record with a misdemeanor can impact your life:
- Employment consequences, such as being denied a job or security clearance
- Financial costs from fines, court fees, and more expenses
- Firearm rights in domestic violence cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
While some states have automatic record clearing for most misdemeanor convictions, Missouri does not. That said, for most misdemeanor convictions, you do have an option to clear your record: Expungement.
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, 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.
- You don’t have any other criminal charges pending.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Gower, MO, court. After a case, your attorney can help you decide on the best course to move your life forward. Your attorney can do more than defend yourself – they can help you get a fresh start.
Fight Your Charges With Gower, MO’s Leading Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
Misdemeanor accusations in Gower, MO are a big deal. Combs Waterkotte is ready to deliver you a quality defense. By choosing our misdemeanor defense lawyers, you are setting yourself up for a positive outcome.
We’re here to help good people in bad situations, and are ready to fight for your rights. Speak with one of our team members at (314) 900-HELP or let us know how we can help online.
