Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Lawson, MO. Some people dismiss misdemeanor accusations because they aren’t felonies. Don’t make that mistake. A conviction can affect everything from your future career to a child custody battle. You can’t just roll over and let these allegations win – You need to fight them. And to do that, you need an expert Lawson, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer.
The Combs Waterkotte law firm has over 60 years of combined trial experience, including fighting cases just like yours. Our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial, and will battle the prosecution to protect your freedom.
You deserve high-quality legal services, no matter what charge you’re facing. To get help navigating this situation, 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 Lawson, 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 still need to take charges seriously. Your defense attorney should guide you through common slip-ups people make and provide expert insights.
Without a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- A district attorney who’s focused on their record, not your consequences
- The loss of your freedom
- Fines and court fees
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t allow for context
- Depending on the case type, the loss of your driver’s license
But when you work with an experienced local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- A collaborative defense process that is rooted in your side of the story
- Access to court relationships for plea negotiations
- Significantly improved odds for a favorable outcome
- Guidance on how to handle police interviews
- Straightforward advice that is applicable to your case
Your defense matters. Protecting your reputation matters. And the misdemeanor defense attorney you choose matters. At Combs Waterkotte, will stand by your side the whole way, and we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
What You Need to Know About Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Lawson, MO
While individual laws can be very different, the difference between misdemeanors and felonies as categories is easier to understand: 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 uses a system to classify different levels of misdemeanors and felonies, with class A being the most serious of each. 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.
Misdemeanors, Felonies, and Escalations
Some alleged actions are normally misdemeanors, but not always. In the wrong circumstances, they could be classified as felonies instead. 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, if in the process you put others in danger, this can be escalated to a class E felony.
Protecting yourself in this situation is even more important than usual. You need a misdemeanor defense lawyer who can also be your Lawson, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Misdemeanor Charge Classes Our Defense Lawyers Fight
Missouri law divides misdemeanors into four classes, each with its own possible penalties. Your Lawson, 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 most serious, with up to 1 year in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines.
Examples: Vandalizing a cemetary, selling fireworks without a permit, 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 more than 20 mph over the limit, owning a defaced firearm, 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: Driving on the highway with unsecured cargo, unlawfully keeping a child from attending school, and littering.
Class D Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class D misdemeanors are the least serious in terms of punishment. 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 Lawson, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer, you get insights on the best ways to handle your charges. Without one, it’s easy to make a mistake and find yourself in an even worse situation.
How to Choose a Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Lawson
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Lawson, 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 Lawson, MO attorneys right away – Don’t wait while the prosecution gets a head start.
- Ask if they have previously fought these (or similar) charges – 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 local court connections – 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.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Look online for reviews and peer endorsements.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to finding a good criminal defense attorney.
Red Flags to Avoid
When you’re speaking with potential attorneys, 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.
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? Similarly, beware of attorneys who try to oversell themselves. When the lawyer you’re interviewing is making promises you’re not sure they can back up, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Finally, if the lawyer doesn’t show empathy for you and your situation, you should make some calls to other options. This is a sign that they may not care as much about your well-being as the paycheck you provide. Instead, you want a lawyer who treats you like a person, not a case number.
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Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers and Expungement in Lawson, MO
What are the long-term impacts of a criminal conviction? They can be wide-reaching, even for a misdemeanor:
- Employment consequences, such as being denied a job or security clearance
- Financial costs from fines, court fees, and more expenses
- Losing your driving privileges in DWI 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. By expunging your misdemeanor records, you are taking a major step towards getting your life bac. To be eligible, the follow needs to apply:
- Expungement is allowed for the specific crime you were convicted of.
- You have, at most, expunged two misdemeanors in the past.
- You’ve obeyed the law and not committed any crimes in the past year since the sentence.
- You don’t owe the court any payments for fines, fees, etc..
- The state is not currently charging you with any wrongdoing.
When you work with the right Lawson, 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.
Our Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You in Lawson, MO
At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to providing high-quality legal service to all Lawson, MO residents. By choosing our misdemeanor defense lawyers, you are setting yourself up for a positive outcome.
Give yourself another chance. Call today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us how we can help you online.
