Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Orrick, MO. Whatever you’ve been accused of, it’s important to take misdemeanor charges seriously. A conviction can affect everything from your ability to keep your job 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 Orrick, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer.
Combs Waterkotte is Missouri’s top criminal defense law firm and has handled thousands of cases, many 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 get help navigating this situation, call us at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation case review.
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What a Leading Orrick, 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. A defense attorney can help you avoid mistakes and pitfalls when fighting your case.
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
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A criminal record that’s available to the public
- In some cases, this could negatively impact custody battles
But when you work with a leading local defense attorney, you get:
- Expert insights into your defense
- Leverage for plea deals through court and prosecutor relationships
- Greatly increased chances of a positive outcome
- Guidance on how to handle police interviews
- Realistic projects on your case, and possible outcomes
Your defense matters. Maintaining your reputation matters. And who you choose to represent you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, want to deliver you the best outcome possible for your case, and we are ready to help you, day or night.
What’s the Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies in Orrick, 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 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.
Can Misdemeanors Become Felonies?
Sometimes, the same action on paper can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge is determined by a combination of prosecutorial discretion and the overall circumstances.
A good example of the misdemeanor vs. felony divide in Missouri is theft offenses. Typically, in Missouri, you can face felony charges for supposedly stealing something worth $750 or more; otherwise, you’re generally looking at misdemeanor charges. 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.
Protecting yourself in this situation is even more important than usual. You need a misdemeanor defense lawyer who can also be your Orrick, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Misdemeanor Charge Classes Our Defense Lawyers Fight
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. The next sections will give you examples of each class of misdemeanor and potential penalties if convicted:
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, lesser assault charges, and resisting arrest.
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 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: Running a red light, 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.
When you work with a leading Orrick, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer, you get insights on the best ways to handle your charges. Without one, you can slip up without even realizing it, and put your freedom in jeopardy.
Steps to Pick a Orrick, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Orrick, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. But you still need to take the process very seriously. An expert defense attorney can make the difference between a plea deal and months in jail.
If you use the below steps to assess potential lawyers, you’ll have a good idea of who to work with:
- Reach out to Orrick, MO attorneys immediately – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask if they have previously fought these (or related) charges – You want to work with someone who knows how to handle your charges.
- 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 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 – Look online for reviews and past victories.
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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Expungement: How Your Orrick, 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
- Lower your chance of winning custody battles
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
If you were hoping that a misdemeanor conviction in Orrick 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. 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, the follow needs to apply:
- The offense is not on a list of ineligible offenses (for example, domestic violence).
- 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.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Orrick, MO, court. After a case, your attorney can help you decide on the best course to move your life forward. Expungement can seem complicated on your own, but with the right attorney, it can turn your life around.
Get Help From an Expert Orrick, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Today: Call Combs Waterkotte
Combs Waterkotte takes Orrick, 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.
Set yourself up for a positive outcome. Connect with a lawyer at (314) 900-HELP or tell us how we can help you online.
