Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Riverside, MO. A misdemeanor conviction can change your life. You could go to jail, lose your job, and face numerous other consequences if you’re convicted. Finding a deal and/or fighting for your innocence is essential. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have Riverside, 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. Our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial, and will battle the prosecution to protect your freedom.
Every criminal charge needs to be taken seriously. To get help navigating this situation, call us at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, confidential consult.
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What a Top Riverside, 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.” And no one would blame you for thinking that. However, that doesn’t mean your case will be a walk in the park. Your defense attorney should guide you through common slip-ups people make and provide expert insights.
Without a misdemeanor defense lawyer, you’re facing:
- An unforgiving team of state attorneys
- A jail sentence that will tear you away from your job and family
- Fines and court fees that quickly add up
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t allow for context
- In some cases, you could lose custody of your child
But when you work with a knowledgeable local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- Expert insights into your defense
- Leverage for plea deals through court and prosecutor relationships
- Significantly improved odds for a positive outcome
- Expert advice on how to interact with the authorities
- Straightforward advice that is applicable to your case
Your defense matters. Protecting 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 will stick with you all the way.
What’s the Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies in Riverside, MO?
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is pretty straightforward: a misdemeanor has a maximum punishment of less than a year in jail, while a felony can carry penalties of more than one year.
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. 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.
When Can Misdemeanors be Escalated Into Felonies?
You might have heard of two alleged crimes in the past that seemed very similar, but one was charged as a misdemeanor and the other a felony. How does that happen? 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 Riverside, MO, is a DWI. In Missouri, a first-offense DWI is normally considered a misdemeanor. However, for a third alleged offense or further, DWI charges become felonies.
Protecting yourself in this situation is even more important than usual. You need a misdemeanor defense lawyer who can also be your Riverside, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Different Misdemeanor Classes in Riverside, MO
The four different classifications of misdemeanors in Missouri are A, B, C, and D. Whichever one you’re facing, a Riverside, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can help you face it. Below, you can read about the different categories and common examples of each in Riverside:
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, owning a defaced firearm, and many forms of trespassing.
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: lying in an affidavit, trying to hurt a police animal, 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.
Regardless of what class your charge is, it’s important to work with an expert Riverside, 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 Riverside
The steps to choose a Riverside, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer might seem straightforward. But it is important to get it right. 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 Riverside, MO attorneys right away – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask what their history is with your charges – You want to work with someone who knows how to handle your charges.
- Ask how they will defend your case – Your attorney should have some initial thoughts on how to best defend your case.
- Ask about relationships with the local court – This not only gives them an edge in trial, but also gives your attorney something to lean on in plea negotiations.
- Ask about fees/pricing transparency – Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should be transparent when discussing fees, not evasive.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Search online for reviews and accolades.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to finding a good 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 . Think very carefully before hiring an attorney who seems disinterested in your case, guarantees a positive outcome, or doesn’t have experience in your case area. Here’s why:
- No Experience With Your Case Type – Experience gives lawyers insight into the laws, how the state prosecutes them, and what defenses work. Without experience, you could be this attorney’s testing ground.
- Unrealistically Positive Expectations – Overly positive predictions aren’t always possible to deliver on, and could be a sign that the lawyer only cares about making the sale.
- 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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Expungement: How Your Riverside, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Fight Collateral Consequences
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just for a misdemeanor:
- Employment consequences, such as losing out on a professional license
- Housing challenges when applying to rent
- Losing your driving privileges in DWI cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
If you were hoping that a misdemeanor conviction in Riverside 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.
After an expungement, most people, outside of some government agencies, won’t be able to see that conviction on your record. This counteracts many of the collateral consequences of your conviction. To be eligible, the follow needs to apply:
- Expungement is allowed for the specific crime you were convicted of.
- You are not exceeding Missouri’s limit of three misdemeanor expungements in your lifetime.
- 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.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Riverside, MO, court. 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.
Our Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You in Riverside, MO
Misdemeanor accusations in Riverside, MO are a big deal. Combs Waterkotte is ready to deliver you a quality defense. By choosing our misdemeanor defense lawyers, you are setting yourself up for a positive outcome.
Give yourself another chance. Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online.
