Criminal Defense Attorney Ray County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ray County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Even a conviction for a small infraction could cause you to pay a sizable fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many cases, you will be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Ray County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Ray County, MO area. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Ray County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Ray County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Ray County, MO criminal case.

Ray County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened amount of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to coax a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Ray County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ray County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Ray County area and helped them put what is an unquestionably scary experience behind them. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.

A Full-Service Ray County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Ray County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

• Motor Vehicle Tampering
• Assault and Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft/Larceny
• Probation Violations
• Drug Charges and Possession

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Ray County, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy and allowing you to breathe you to breathe a little easier as we tackle the looming uncertainty of an impending criminal court proceeding. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a criminal defense attorney in Ray County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Ray County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Ray County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Ray County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. Based on what class felony you are convicted of, the punishment will vary.

• Class A Felony – minimum of 10 years and no more than 30 years in prison, or life in prison
• Class B Felony – at least five but no more than 15 years in prison
• Class C Felony – between three and 10 years in prison
• Class D Felony – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with prior convictions or for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Ray County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. If your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Ray County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, the maximum punishment allowed for a misdemeanor is a year in jail, and in many cases no jail time is required, but rather the payment of a fine.

• Class A Misdemeanor – up to one year in jail; a fine of up to $2,000
• Class B Misdemeanor – up to six months in jail; a fine of up to $1,000
• Class C Misdemeanor – up to 15 days in jail; a fine of up to $700
• Class D Misdemeanor – a fine of up to $500

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to a period of supervision known as probation. As conditions of your probation sentence, you may be required to fulfill additional requirements such as community service or competition of a substance abuse rehabilitation program.

Misdemeanors are not to be taken lightly, but are not as serious as felony convictions and a good criminal defense attorney can help you get an outcome that is minimally disruptive to your life and allows you to move forward in a positive light. Call Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case and your options with a defense attorney near Ray County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ray County, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Ray County, MO area can help you through our excellent traffic law services. Affordable and effective as attorneys against traffic tickets, do not let our record of success in difficult criminal cases intimidate you or dissuade you from hiring us for top traffic ticket legal representation.

Being written a traffic ticket in Ray County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Ray County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

More and more Ray County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ray County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Ray County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Ray County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Ray County traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Ray County, MO area attorneys of Combs Waterkotte have the skill and expertise you need from your lawyer in any criminal or personal injury case. Learn more about the types of cases we win below.

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer

Hire Your Ray County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right Ray County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Ray County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive 24/7 access to the Ray County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Ray County, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Ray County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.