Criminal Defense Attorney Chariton County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Chariton County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small infraction could force you to pay a sizable fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that most citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically limits where they can live or work.

The experienced Chariton County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Chariton County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Chariton 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 Chariton County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Chariton County, MO criminal case.

Chariton County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra level of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Chariton County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Chariton County, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Chariton County area and helped them put what is an unquestionably scary experience in their rear-view mirror. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.

A Full-Service Chariton County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Chariton 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 Chariton County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Whether 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, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait 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 get to work building a defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to get in touch with a Chariton County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

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 an experienced criminal defense attorney in Chariton County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Chariton County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Chariton County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity. 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 – 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 variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information 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, so a crime typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Chariton County representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain 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 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 you are guilty. Contact our Chariton County, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

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, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to a period of supervision known as probation. You may also be required to meet additional requirements as a condition of your probation, 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 Chariton County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Chariton 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 Chariton County, MO area can help you through our expert 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 Chariton County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Chariton County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

Many Chariton County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Chariton County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of 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 influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Chariton County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Chariton County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Chariton County traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Chariton 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 Chariton County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Chariton County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Chariton County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get round-the-clock access to the Chariton County criminal defense lawyer 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 any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Chariton County, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Chariton County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.