Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Lathrop, MO. Some people dismiss misdemeanor accusations because they aren’t felonies. Don’t make that mistake. You could go to jail, lose your job, and face numerous other consequences if you’re convicted. You need to protect yourself from these outcomes. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have Lathrop, 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.
Don’t settle for a subpar defense just because your case is a misdemeanor. To discover your best path forward, call us at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential case review.
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How a Leading Lathrop, 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. 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:
- A prosecutor who’s focused on their record, not your consequences
- A jail sentence that will tear you away from your job and family
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A criminal record that will show up on job and housing applications
- Depending on the charge, the loss of your driver’s license
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
- Leverage for plea deals through court and prosecutor relationships
- Greatly increased chances of a positive outcome
- Expert advice on how to interact with the authorities
- Open, honest insights on the best way forward for your situation
Your defense matters. Keeping your record clean matters. And the firm you pick to defend you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to helping good people in bad situations, and we are ready to help you, day or night.
What You Need to Know About Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Lathrop, 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. 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. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled defense attorney may be able to negotiate your felony accusations to be reduced to a misdemeanor. If you want to read about the different misdemeanor classes, we have a section outlining them below.
Misdemeanors, Felonies, and Escalations
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.
Theft is a common example of the misdemeanor vs. felony line in Lathrop, MO. Typically, in Missouri, you can face felony charges for supposedly stealing something worth $750 or more; otherwise, you’re generally looking at misdemeanor charges. However, there are exceptions: For example, pickpocketing someone is always considered a felony, regardless of the value.
When facing these types of charges, you can’t settle for just any Lathrop, 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 Lathrop, MO
The four different classifications of misdemeanors in Missouri are A, B, C, and D. Your Lathrop, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer from Combs Waterkotte can help you fight any of them. Below, you can read about the different categories and common examples of each in Lathrop:
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, making a false ID to buy alcohol, 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 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: Driving on the highway with unsecured cargo, unlawfully keeping a child from attending school, 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.
When you work with a leading Lathrop, 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 Lathrop, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
The steps to choose a Lathrop, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer might seem straightforward. But that doesn’t mean you can take it lightly. 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:
- Start talking to Lathrop, MO attorneys right away – Many will offer free case reviews.
- Ask what their history is with your charges – Someone who’s fought these cases before will have a better idea of effective defenses.
- Ask about potential defense strategies – Your attorney should have some initial thoughts on how to best defend your case.
- Ask about their knowledge of the prosecutor – Many plea deals depend on connections with the state.
- 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 – Look online for reviews and testimonials.
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 conducting these steps, finding someone who checks the right boxes is great. But you also need to watch out for red flags that should tell you to keep looking.
A lack of experience is an obvious example: Without practice in your charge type, how is this lawyer going to know the best way to defend you? 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.
Finally, if the lawyer doesn’t show empathy for you and your situation, you should make some calls to other options. If your lawyer doesn’t care about you, they may not put the effort into your case that it requires. Look for an attorney who listens to you, knows your case type, and is always honest with you.
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Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers and Expungement in Lathrop, MO
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just for a misdemeanor:
- Employment consequences, such as losing out on a professional license
- Financial costs from fines, court fees, and more expenses
- Losing your driving privileges in DWI cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Citizenship eligibility hurdles for immigrants
What’s worse, in Lathrop, 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 is invaluable in moving forward and avoiding the collateral consequences mentioned above. 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.
- Everything related to your original case is settled.
- The state is not currently charging you with any wrongdoing.
When you work with the right Lathrop, 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. Your attorney can do more than defend yourself – they can help you get a fresh start.
Fight Your Charges With Lathrop, MO’s Leading Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to providing high-quality legal service to all Lathrop, MO residents. When you work with us, you’re getting an expert misdemeanor defense lawyer who is dedicated to finding you the best outcome possible.
Set yourself up for a positive outcome. Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or schedule a free, confidential consultation online.
