Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Pleasant Hill, 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. Finding a deal and/or fighting for your innocence is essential. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have Pleasant Hill, MO’s leading misdemeanor defense lawyer on your side.
Combs Waterkotte is here to serve you. We have handled over 15,000 cases, and are ready to begin working on yours today. When you work with one of our misdemeanor defense attorneys, we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
You deserve high-quality legal services, no matter what charge you’re facing. To start building your defense, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a free, confidential case review.
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How a Leading Pleasant Hill, 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 while it is less serious than a felony, that doesn’t mean you should take it lightly. A defense attorney can help you avoid mistakes and pitfalls when fighting your case.
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 reputation as a criminal that doesn’t listen to your side
- In some cases, the loss of your driver’s license
But when you work with an experienced local defense attorney, you get:
- A defensive strategy tailored to your case
- Leverage for plea deals through court and prosecutor relationships
- Significantly improved odds for a positive outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Realistic projects on your case, and possible outcomes
Your rights matters. Keeping your record clean 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.
Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Pleasant Hill, 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.
Missouri classifies its misdemeanors and felonies from A to D and E, respectively. The line between felonies and misdemeanors can be a bit fuzzy, though: An experienced criminal defense lawyer will often plea bargain with the prosecution in order to reduce a lower level (class D or E) felony to a misdemeanor. To learn more, read the below section on different misdemeanor classes, their punishments, and examples.
Can Misdemeanors Become Felonies?
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.
A good example of an alleged crime that could be either a misdemeanor or a felony in Pleasant Hill, MO, is a DWI. In Missouri, Your first two DWI convictions in Missouri are each misdemeanors, while any subsequent ones are considered felonies.
When facing these types of charges, you can’t settle for just any Pleasant Hill, 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 Pleasant Hill, MO
There are four different classes of misdemeanors in Missouri. 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 Pleasant Hill:
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 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 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: 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, minor in possession of alcohol, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
When you work with a leading Pleasant Hill, 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.
Steps to Pick a Pleasant Hill, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Pleasant Hill, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. But it is important to get it right. 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.
If you use the below steps to assess potential lawyers, you’ll have a good idea of who to work with:
- Start talking to Pleasant Hill, MO attorneys right away – Don’t wait while the prosecution gets a head start.
- Ask if they have previously fought these (or related) 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 relationships with the local court – Many plea deals depend on connections with the state.
- Ask about fees/pricing transparency – Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should be transparent when discussing fees, not evasive.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – 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.
Red Flags to Avoid
Now that you know what to ask about, you also need to be aware of warning signs that you . If the attorney is lacking in experience, empathy, or honest projections for your case, you might want to keep searching. This is why that matters:
- Little Prior Experience – You don’t want to be a lawyer’s first time defending this case type – experience gives them additional insights into best defense practices.
- Unrealistically Positive Expectations – A lawyer with your best interests in mind will be honest with you, even if it’s news that you don’t want to hear.
- Lack of Empathy – If your lawyer doesn’t care about you and your wellbeing, they may not take your case seriously.
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How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Charged with a crime? The lawyer you hire matters. Combs Waterkotte, recognized for top-tier criminal defense in Missouri and Illinois, created this guide to help you find the right attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers and Expungement in Pleasant Hill, MO
Felonies aren’t the only convictions with long-term life impacts. Here’s how a criminal record with a misdemeanor can impact your life:
- Career 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
- 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 Pleasant Hill 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.
Expungement allows you to seal records of your arrest and conviction. By expunging your misdemeanor records, you are taking a major step towards getting your life bac. To be eligible, the follow needs to apply:
- The offense is not on a list of ineligible offenses (for example, domestic violence).
- You are not exceeding Missouri’s limit of three misdemeanor expungements in your lifetime.
- 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.
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
When you work with the right Pleasant Hill, MO misdemeanor defense lawyer, they’ll stay by your side even if you are convicted. They should guide you through any options after your case to set you up for success moving forward. 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 Pleasant Hill, MO
Combs Waterkotte takes Pleasant Hill, MO, criminal defense seriously, from class D misdemeanors all the way up to class A felonies. Together, you and your misdemeanor defense lawyer can build a strong defense strategy that guards you against the accusations.
Set yourself up for a positive outcome. Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online.
