Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Greenwood, MO. A misdemeanor conviction can change your life. If found guilty, you could go to jail, possibly for months. You can’t just roll over and let these allegations win – You need to fight them. And to do that, you need an expert Greenwood, 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. Our misdemeanor defense attorneys are dedicated to finding the best outcomes possible for each of our clients.
Every criminal charge needs to be taken seriously. To get help navigating this situation, call us at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consult.
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Why You Need an Experienced Greenwood, 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. Working with a defense attorney is taking a practical step to protect yourself.
If you don’t have a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- An unforgiving team of state attorneys
- The loss of your freedom
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A criminal record that’s available to the public
- Depending on the charge, a loss of your firearm rights
But when you work with a leading local defense attorney, you get:
- A collaborative defense process that is rooted in your side of the story
- Local connections that help you secure favorable plea deals
- Significantly improved odds for a favorable outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Open, honest insights on the best way forward for your situation
Your freedom matters. Keeping your record clean 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.
What’s the Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies in Greenwood, MO?
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is pretty straightforward: a misdemeanor has a maximum punishment of less than a year in jail, while a felony can carry penalties of more than one year. Unlike misdemeanors, felonies as a category don’t exactly have a maximum sentence. The most serious felonies in Missouri can result in a lifetime in prison.
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?
Some alleged actions are normally misdemeanors, but not always. In the wrong circumstances, they could be classified as felonies instead. The main two factors that affect this are prosecutorial discretion and aggravating factors, like gang involvement.
Theft is a common example of the misdemeanor vs. felony line in Greenwood, MO. Missouri defines felony theft as the unlawful taking of $750 (or more) worth of value, and misdemeanor as anything below that. However, there are exceptions: For example, pickpocketing someone is always considered a felony, regardless of the value.
Protecting yourself in this situation is even more important than usual. You need a misdemeanor defense lawyer who can also be your Greenwood, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Greenwood, MO Misdeameanor Classes Our Attorneys Defend
The four different classifications of misdemeanors in Missouri are A, B, C, and D. 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 Greenwood:
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, lesser assault charges, and lying to the Missouri Gaming Commission.
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 more than 20 mph over the limit, misusing 911 phone lines, 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, 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 Greenwood, 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 Greenwood
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Greenwood, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. 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.
Follow these steps to determine what attorney is right for you:
- Reach out to Greenwood, MO attorneys immediately – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask about experience with these types of cases – Experience can give them insights into the most effective defense tactics.
- Ask if they have any initial plans to defend you – Ideally, your attorney should have an initial plan for how to defend you.
- Ask about their relationship with the district attorney – These can come in handy for securing plea deals.
- Ask about how payments will work – Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should be transparent when discussing fees, not evasive.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Look online for reviews and testimonials.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to finding a good criminal defense attorney.
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How a Greenwood, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Expunge Your Record
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 losing out on a professional license
- 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
If you were hoping that a misdemeanor conviction in Greenwood 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. That said, for most misdemeanor convictions, you do have an option to clear your record: 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, you need to fit the following criteria:
- The conviction in question is eligible for expungement.
- You have, at most, expunged two misdemeanors in the past.
- Enough time has passed (one year post sentence) without you receiving another conviction.
- There are no outstanding fees, fines, or other payments for your case.
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
When you work with the right Greenwood, MO misdemeanor defense lawyer, they’ll stay by your side even if you are convicted. 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 Greenwood, MO’s Leading Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
Combs Waterkotte takes Greenwood, 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.
Set yourself up for a positive outcome. Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or set up a free case review online.
