Criminal Defense Attorney in Jackson County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Jackson County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay a large fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but following your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely limits where they can work or live.

The winning Jackson County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many people overcome criminal allegations in the Jackson County, MO area. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Jackson County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Jackson County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Jackson County, MO criminal case.

Jackson County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating in itself, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened stage of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming 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 pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Jackson County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Jackson County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many Jackson County-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Jackson County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Jackson County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

• 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 Jackson County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your very life on the line, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Jackson County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can get to work building a sound approach to your case 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 get in touch with a Jackson County, MO criminal defense attorney 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, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Jackson County, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Jackson County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Jackson County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. Depending 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 – no more than 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. They will weigh information such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen 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. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Jackson County representing you, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

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 you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Jackson County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, misdemeanors are punishable by no more than one year in county or city jail or may just involve fines.

• 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. However, in misdemeanor cases your defense attorney can often help you avoid serving jail time in favor of 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 Jackson County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jackson County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Jackson County-based defense attorneys 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Jackson County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Jackson County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

Many Jackson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jackson County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Jackson County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Jackson 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 getting your Jackson County traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Jackson 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.

• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

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

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

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Jackson County, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Jackson County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.