Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Pleasant Valley, MO. Whatever you’ve been accused of, it’s important to take misdemeanor charges seriously. A conviction can affect everything from your future career to a child custody battle. You need to properly contest these charges. And to do that, you need an expert Pleasant Valley, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer.
Combs Waterkotte is Missouri’s top criminal defense law firm and has handled thousands of cases, many just like yours. Our misdemeanor defense attorneys are dedicated to finding the best outcomes possible for each of our clients.
You deserve high-quality legal services, no matter what charge you’re facing. To discover your best path forward, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a free, confidential consult.
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Why You Need an Experienced Pleasant Valley, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
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.
If you don’t have a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- A prosecutor who’s focused on their record, not your consequences
- Days, weeks, or months of jail time
- Fines and court fees
- A criminal record that will show up on job and housing applications
- Depending on the case type, the loss of your driver’s license
But when you work with a leading 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
- Greatly increased chances of a positive outcome
- Guidance on how to handle police interviews
- Straightforward advice that is applicable to your case
Your rights matters. Protecting your reputation matters. And who you choose to represent you 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’s the Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies in Pleasant Valley, 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.
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. If you want to read about the different misdemeanor classes, we have a section outlining them below.
Misdemeanors, Felonies, and Escalations
Sometimes, the same action on paper can 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 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, stealing a controlled substance 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 Pleasant Valley, 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 worst ones to be convicted of in Pleasant Valley, 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, 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: Driving on the highway with unsecured cargo, animal neglect, 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, minor in possession of alcohol, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Regardless of what class your charge is, it’s important to work with an expert Pleasant Valley, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer to protect your rights and future. 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 Pleasant Valley
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Pleasant Valley, 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 Pleasant Valley, MO attorneys immediately – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask if they have previously fought these (or similar) charges – Experience can give them insights into the most effective defense tactics.
- Ask about potential defense strategies – Ideally, your attorney should have an initial plan for how to defend you.
- Ask about local court connections – This not only gives them an edge in trial, but also gives your attorney something to lean on in plea negotiations.
- Ask about the cost – Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should be transparent when discussing fees, not evasive.
- Look up the attorney’s history – Search 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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How a Pleasant Valley, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Expunge Your Record
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just for a misdemeanor:
- 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
- Lower your chance of winning custody battles
- Citizenship eligibility hurdles for immigrants
If you were hoping that a misdemeanor conviction in Pleasant Valley 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.
If you can get your misdemeanor conviction expunged, it will prevent future employers, landlords, and more from being able to see it. This counteracts many of the collateral consequences of your conviction. To be eligible, the follow needs to apply:
- The offense is not on a list of ineligible offenses (for example, domestic violence).
- You haven’t expunged more than two prior misdemeanors.
- You’ve obeyed the law and not committed any crimes in the past year since the sentence.
- Everything related to your original case is settled.
- You don’t have any other criminal charges pending.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Pleasant Valley, MO, court. They should guide you through any options after your case to set you up for success moving 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 Pleasant Valley, MO
Combs Waterkotte takes Pleasant Valley, 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.
Don’t let your life be defined by one bad choice. Speak with one of our team members at (314) 900-HELP or schedule a free, confidential consultation online.
