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Perry County, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorney in Perry County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Perry County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay a large fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release 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 firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many situations, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Perry County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women overcome criminal allegations in the Perry County, MO area. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Perry County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Perry County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Perry County, MO criminal case.

Perry County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require a heightened level of legal knowledge and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to coax a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Perry County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Perry 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 fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Perry County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably harrowing 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 Perry County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Perry County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Perry County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Perry 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 lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a Perry County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

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 may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited from owning 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious obstacle to living a successful, lawful life.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Perry County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Perry County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Perry County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Depending on the class of your felony conviction, 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. They will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or for crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Perry County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a lesser punishment.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Perry County, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced in certain cases. 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 Perry County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Perry 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 Perry County-based defense attorneys can help you through our expert traffic ticket legal 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 given a traffic ticket in Perry County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Perry County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be facing increased penalties.

Many Perry County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Perry County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure 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 police error. Most importantly, our premier Perry County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Perry 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 start the process of getting your Perry County traffic ticket fixed.

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

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

Finding the right Perry County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Perry 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 have 24/7 access to the Perry 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 talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Perry County, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Perry County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.

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