Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Wellington, MO. If you think a misdemeanor is no big deal in Wellington, MO, think again. If found guilty, you could go to jail, possibly for months. You can’t just roll over and let these allegations win – You need to fight them. That all starts by working with a top Wellington, 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.
We will treat you and your case with respect, no matter what the allegation is. To discover your best path forward, call us at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, confidential consultation.
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What a Top Wellington, 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 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 district attorney who has no reason to cut you a break
- The loss of your freedom
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A criminal record that will show up on job and housing applications
- In some cases, a loss of your second amendment rights
But when you work with an experienced local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- Expert insights into your defense
- Access to court relationships for plea negotiations
- Significantly improved odds for a favorable outcome
- Expert advice on how to interact with the authorities
- Realistic projects on your case, and possible outcomes
Your freedom matters. Maintaining your reputation matters. And the misdemeanor defense attorney you choose matters. At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to helping good people in bad situations, and will stick with you all the way.
What’s the Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies in Wellington, 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. Unlike misdemeanors, felonies as a category don’t exactly have a maximum sentence. A conviction of a particularly heinous felony accusation can result in a life prison 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.
Misdemeanors, Felonies, and Escalations
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. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge is determined by a combination of prosecutorial discretion and the overall circumstances.
DWIs in Wellington, MO, can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending mostly on your prior record. 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 Wellington, MO, felony defense lawyer, if the state isn’t being lenient with you.
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Misdemeanor Charge Classes Our Defense Attorneys Fight
The four different classifications of misdemeanors in Missouri are A, B, C, and D. Your Wellington, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer from Combs Waterkotte can help you fight any of them. Below, you can read about the different categories and common examples of each in Wellington:
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: Thefts of property between $150 and $750 in value, 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: 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.
An experienced Wellington, MO, misdemeanor defense attorney can give you new options to fight your case. Without one, you could miss out on potential plea deals or plead guilty without understanding the consequences.
How to Choose a Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Wellington
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Wellington, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. But that doesn’t mean you can take it lightly. 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 Wellington, MO attorneys immediately – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask about experience with these types of cases – Someone who’s fought these cases before will have a better idea of effective defenses.
- 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 their knowledge of the prosecutor – Many plea deals depend on connections with the state.
- Ask about the cost – 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 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 . Red flags like a lack of experience, unrealistically positive expectations, and a lack of empathy should turn you away. Here’s why:
- No Experience With Your Case Type – 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.
- Disinterested Attitude – A disinterested attorney might not give your case the attention it deserves, or put in the effort to keep you informed.
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How a Wellington, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Can Help You Expunge Your Record
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
- Strained familial relationships from separation and stress
- Firearm rights in domestic violence 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 Wellington 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.
After an expungement, most people, outside of some government agencies, won’t be able to see that conviction on your record. This is invaluable in moving forward and avoiding the collateral consequences mentioned above. To be eligible, you need to fit the following criteria:
- Expungement is allowed for the specific crime you were convicted of.
- 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.
- There are no outstanding fees, fines, or other payments for your case.
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
Your Wellington, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer’s job doesn’t end after the verdict. 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.
Get Help From an Expert Wellington, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Today: Call Combs Waterkotte
At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to providing high-quality legal service to all Wellington, MO residents. When you work with us, you’re getting an expert misdemeanor defense lawyer who is dedicated to finding you the best outcome possible.
Give yourself another chance. Call today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us how we can help you online.
