Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Stewartsville, MO. A misdemeanor conviction can change your life. 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. And to do that, you need an expert Stewartsville, 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 attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial, and will battle the prosecution to protect your freedom.
Don’t settle for a subpar defense just because your case is a misdemeanor. To speak with a skilled misdemeanor defense lawyer, call us at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a no-strings attached case review.
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How an Experienced Stewartsville, 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.” 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:
- The police, witnesses, and a prosecutor who want to see you behind bars
- The loss of your freedom
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t allow for context
- In some cases, a loss of your second amendment rights
But when you work with an experienced local defense attorney, you get:
- Expert insights into your defense
- Local connections that help you secure favorable plea deals
- 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. Maintaining your reputation matters. And the firm you pick to defend you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, will stand by your side the whole way, and we are ready to help you, day or night.
Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Stewartsville, 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. 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. To learn more, read the below section on different misdemeanor classes, their punishments, and examples.
When Can Misdemeanors be Escalated Into 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. The main two factors that affect this are prosecutorial discretion and aggravating factors, like an existing criminal record.
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 Stewartsville, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Different Misdemeanor Classes in Stewartsville, MO
The four different classifications of misdemeanors in Missouri are A, B, C, and D. Whichever one you’re facing, a Stewartsville, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can help you face it. 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: Invasion of privacy, making a false ID to buy alcohol, 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, prostitution, 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: lying in an affidavit, trying to hurt a police animal, 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 Stewartsville, 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 Stewartsville, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Stewartsville, 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.
Follow these steps to determine what attorney is right for you:
- Start contacting local Stewartsville, MO, attorneys – The longer you take to get started, the tougher it will be to fight your case.
- 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 – While defense strategies can change over time, you want your lawyer to start with a plan.
- Ask about their knowledge of the prosecutor – Many plea deals depend on connections with the state.
- Ask about how payments will work – You want to work with a misdemeanor defense lawyer who will charge you fairly.
- Look up the attorney’s history – Research 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
When deciding on your misdemeanor defense lawyer, you need to evaluate your options carefully. If the attorney is lacking in experience, empathy, or honest projections for your case, you might want to keep searching. Here’s why:
- No Experience With Your Case Type – If your attorney hasn’t defended cases similar to yours in the past, they may not know the most effective tactics.
- 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.
- Disinterested Attitude – If your lawyer doesn’t care about you and your wellbeing, they may not take your case seriously.
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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.
How a Stewartsville, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Expunge Your Record
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just for a misdemeanor:
- Employment consequences, such as automatic suspensions from public jobs
- Strained familial relationships from separation and stress
- Damage to your reputation
- Lower your chance of winning custody battles
- Delays in citizenship applications 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, you need to fit the following criteria:
- The offense is not on a list of ineligible offenses (for example, domestic violence).
- You haven’t expunged more than two prior misdemeanors.
- At least one year has passed since completing the sentence, and you have not had any further convictions in that time period.
- You don’t owe the court any payments for fines, fees, etc..
- You don’t have any other criminal charges pending.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Stewartsville, MO, court. They should guide you through any options after your case to set you up for success moving forward. 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 Stewartsville, MO
Misdemeanor accusations in Stewartsville, 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.
We’re here to help good people in bad situations, and are ready to fight for your rights. Connect with a lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or schedule a free, confidential consultation online.
