Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Lake Winnebago, 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. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have Lake Winnebago, MO’s leading misdemeanor defense lawyer on your side.
The Combs Waterkotte law firm has saved clients over one million days in jail, including in cases just like yours. Our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial, and will battle the prosecution to protect your freedom.
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 tell us about your case online for a no-obligation consultation.
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What a Top Lake Winnebago, 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.” While this is true, you need to be careful about underestimating the charges. Working with a defense attorney is taking a practical step to protect yourself.
Without 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
- Fines and court fees that quickly add up
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t listen to your side
- Depending on the allegation, the loss of your driver’s license
But when you work with an experienced local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- Expert insights into your defense
- Access to court relationships for plea negotiations
- Greatly increased odds for a positive outcome
- Guidance on how to handle police interviews
- Realistic projects on your case, and possible outcomes
Your liberty matters. Maintaining your reputation matters. And the misdemeanor defense attorney you choose matters. At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to helping good people in bad situations, and we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
What You Need to Know About Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Lake Winnebago, 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. 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 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. You can learn more about the different classifications of misdemeanors 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? This depends in part on prosecutorial discretion, but also depends on the surrounding context.
Theft is a common example of the misdemeanor vs. felony line in Lake Winnebago, MO. Missouri defines felony theft as the unlawful taking of $750 (or more) worth of value, and misdemeanor as anything below that. But that’s not always the case: For example, taking public utility materials, like gas pipes, is always considered a felony, regardless of the value.
If you’re in a situation like this, you don’t just need a Lake Winnebago, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer. You need someone with experience as a felony charge lawyer who will fight for the lesser charge level.
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Misdemeanor Charge Classes Our Defense Attorneys Fight
There are four different classes of misdemeanors in Missouri. Whichever one you’re facing, a Lake Winnebago, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can help you face it. 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 Lake Winnebago, 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, lesser assault charges, and lying to the Missouri Gaming Commission.
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, misusing 911 phone lines, 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: lying in an affidavit, 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, minor in possession of alcohol, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
An experienced Lake Winnebago, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney can give you new options to fight your case. Without one, you could miss out on potential plea deals or plead guilty without understanding the consequences.
Steps to Pick a Lake Winnebago, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Lake Winnebago, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. But you still need to take the process very seriously. 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:
- Start talking to Lake Winnebago, 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 if they have any initial plans to defend you – While defense strategies can change over time, you want your lawyer to start with a plan.
- Ask about relationships with the local court – Many plea deals depend on connections with the state.
- Ask about fees/pricing transparency – You want to work with a misdemeanor defense lawyer who will charge you fairly.
- Look up the attorney’s history – Research online for reviews and peer endorsements.
When you ask the right questions and conduct research, you’ll be much more likely to find the right criminal defense attorney.
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How a Lake Winnebago, 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
- Financial costs from fines, court fees, and more expenses
- Firearm rights in domestic violence cases
- Lower your chance of winning custody battles
- Citizenship eligibility hurdles 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.
After an expungement, most people, outside of some government agencies, won’t be able to see that conviction on your record. This is invaluable in moving forward and avoiding the collateral consequences mentioned above. 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.
- The state is not currently charging you with any wrongdoing.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Lake Winnebago, MO, court. After a case, your attorney can help you decide on the best course to move your life forward. With the help of an attorney, a conviction doesn’t have to be the end of your story.
Our Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You in Lake Winnebago, MO
Combs Waterkotte takes Lake Winnebago, MO, criminal defense seriously, from class D misdemeanors all the way up to class A felonies. When you work with us, you’re getting an expert misdemeanor defense lawyer who is dedicated to finding you the best outcome possible.
We’re here to help good people in bad situations, and are ready to fight for your rights. Connect with a lawyer at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online.
