Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Weston, MO. Whatever you’ve been accused of, it’s important to take misdemeanor charges seriously. 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. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have Weston, MO’s leading misdemeanor defense lawyer on your side.
Combs Waterkotte’s team of experienced criminal defense lawyers 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.
We will treat you and your case with respect, no matter what the allegation is. To get help navigating this situation, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a free, confidential consultation.
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Why You Need a Leading Weston, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
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. 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
- Fines and court fees that quickly add up
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t consider your situation
- Depending on the charge, a loss of your second amendment rights
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
- Local connections that help you secure favorable plea deals
- Greatly increased chances of a favorable outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Open, honest insights on the best way forward for your situation
Your rights matters. Keeping your record clean matters. And the firm you pick to defend you matters. At Combs Waterkotte, will stand by your side the whole way, and will stick with you all the way.
What You Need to Know About Felonies vs Misdemeanors in Weston, 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. A conviction of a particularly heinous felony accusation can result in a life prison sentence.
Missouri uses a system to classify different levels of misdemeanors and felonies, with class A being the most serious of each. 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. You can learn more about the different classifications of misdemeanors below.
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. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge is determined by a combination of prosecutorial discretion and the overall circumstances.
A good example of an alleged crime that could be either a misdemeanor or a felony in Weston, 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 Weston, 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 Weston, 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 Weston:
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, lesser assault charges, and resisting arrest.
Class B Misdemeanors
Penalties: Class B misdemeanors are not as serious as class A misdemeanors, but the penalties can still be life-altering. A conviction could mean up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines.
Examples: Speeding in excess of 20mph, prostitution, 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, unlawfully keeping a child from attending school, 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 Weston, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer to protect your rights and future. Without one, you could miss out on potential plea deals or plead guilty without understanding the consequences.
Steps to Pick a Weston, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
There’s good news about picking a misdemeanor defense lawyer to work with in Weston, MO: The process isn’t overly complicated. But you still need to take the process very seriously. 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 contacting local Weston, MO, attorneys – The longer you take to get started, the tougher it will be to fight your case.
- Ask about experience with these types of cases – Experience can give them insights into the most effective defense tactics.
- 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 – These can come in handy for securing plea deals.
- Ask about fees/pricing transparency – You want to work with a misdemeanor defense lawyer who will charge you fairly.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Search online for reviews and testimonials.
Now that you know how to find a good criminal defense attorney, it’s time to start making calls.
Red Flags to Avoid
When you’re speaking with potential attorneys, asking the right questions is a good start. But you also need to watch out for warning signs that this misdemeanor defense lawyer may not be right for you.
A lack of experience is an obvious example: Without practice in your charge type, how is this lawyer going to know the best way to defend you? Similarly, beware of attorneys who try to oversell themselves. When the lawyer you’re interviewing is making promises you’re not sure they can back up, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Lastly, you want to avoid an attorney who is distracted or uninterested in your case. If your lawyer doesn’t care about you, they may not put the effort into your case that it requires. Look for an attorney who listens to you, knows your case type, and is always honest with you.
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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.
Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers and Expungement in Weston, MO
A criminal conviction can have serious long-term impacts, even just for a misdemeanor:
- Career consequences, such as automatic suspensions from public jobs
- Financial costs from fines, court fees, and more expenses
- Losing your driving privileges in DWI cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
While some states have automatic record clearing for most misdemeanor convictions, Missouri does not. But Missouri does offer a path to clear its citizens’ records: Expungement.
If you can get your misdemeanor conviction expunged, it will prevent future employers, landlords, and more from being able to see it. This is invaluable in moving forward and avoiding the collateral consequences mentioned above. To be eligible, you need to fit the following criteria:
- The conviction in question is eligible for expungement.
- 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.
- Everything related to your original case is settled.
- There are no current criminal charges against you.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Weston, MO, court. After a case, your attorney can help you decide on the best course to move your life forward. Expungement can seem complicated on your own, but with the right attorney, it can turn your life around.
Get Help From an Expert Weston, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Today: Call Combs Waterkotte
At Combs Waterkotte, we are dedicated to providing high-quality legal service to all Weston, 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.
Together, we can find the way forward. Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us how we can help you online.
