Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Windsor, MO. A misdemeanor conviction can change your life. You could be facing more than just a fine: Jail time, a criminal record, and more can follow you throughout your life. Finding a deal and/or fighting for your innocence is essential. And to do that, you need an expert Windsor, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer.
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.
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 tell us about your case online for a free, confidential case review.
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How a Leading Windsor, 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.” 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:
- A district attorney who’s focused on getting a conviction
- Days, weeks, or months of jail time
- Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
- A reputation as a criminal that doesn’t allow for context
- Depending on the charge, this could negatively impact custody battles
But when you work with a leading local defense attorney, can look forward to:
- A defensive strategy tailored to your case
- Access to court relationships for plea negotiations
- Greatly increased odds for a favorable outcome
- Protection from self-incrimination and similar mistakes
- Open, honest insights on the best way forward for your situation
Your freedom matters. Maintaining your reputation matters. And the firm you pick to defend 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 Windsor, 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. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled defense attorney may be able to negotiate your felony accusations to be reduced to a misdemeanor. You can learn more about the different classifications of misdemeanors below.
Misdemeanors, Felonies, and Escalations
Sometimes, the same action on paper can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The main two factors that affect this are prosecutorial discretion and aggravating factors, such as a supposed crime with many alleged victims.
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. However, there are exceptions: For example, stealing a controlled substance is always considered a felony, regardless of the value.
If you’re in a situation like this, you don’t just need a Windsor, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer. You need someone with experience as a felony charge lawyer who will fight for the lesser charge level.
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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. 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 Windsor:
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: Vandalizing a cemetary, lesser assault charges, 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 in excess of 20mph, misusing 911 phone lines, 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: Running a red light, unlawfully keeping a child from attending school, 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, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
An experienced Windsor, 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.
Steps to Pick a Windsor, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
The steps to choose a Windsor, MO, misdemeanor defense lawyer might seem straightforward. 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.
If you use the below steps to assess potential lawyers, you’ll have a good idea of who to work with:
- Start contacting local Windsor, MO, attorneys – Set up interviews to get to know them.
- Ask if they have previously fought these (or similar) 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 – 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.
- Research the attorney’s reputation – Research online for reviews and accolades.
When you ask the right questions and conduct research, you’ll be much more likely to find the right criminal defense attorney.
Red Flags to Avoid
When deciding on your misdemeanor defense lawyer, you need to evaluate your options carefully. Red flags like a lack of experience, unrealistically positive expectations, and a lack of empathy should turn you away. Here’s why:
- Little Prior Experience – 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.
- Lack of Empathy – 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 Windsor, 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 automatic suspensions from public jobs
- Strained familial relationships from separation and stress
- Losing your driving privileges in DWI cases
- An additional hurdle to overcome in a custody fight
- Delays in citizenship applications for immigrants
What’s worse, in Windsor, MO, there is no expiration date for the majority of misdemeanors. 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:
- The offense is not on a list of ineligible offenses (for example, domestic violence).
- You have, at most, expunged two misdemeanors in the past.
- At least one year has passed since completing the sentence, and you have not had any further convictions in that time period.
- There are no outstanding fees, fines, or other payments for your case.
- You don’t have any other criminal charges pending.
Your misdemeanor defense lawyer should do more than just fight the charges in Windsor, MO, court. 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 Windsor, MO, Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer Today: Call Combs Waterkotte
Misdemeanor accusations in Windsor, MO are a big deal. Combs Waterkotte is ready to deliver you a quality defense. Together, you and your misdemeanor defense lawyer can build a strong defense strategy that guards you against the accusations.
Set yourself up for a positive outcome. Connect with a lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or set up a free case review online.
