Criminal Defense Attorney in Scotland County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Scotland County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years in the Missouri state prison system, but after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many situations, you could be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually drastically limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Scotland County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women overcome criminal allegations in the Scotland County, MO area. Our firm knows 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 ability to live life. Our record of success distinguishes us from other Scotland County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Scotland County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Scotland County, MO criminal case.

Scotland County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra level of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in 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 get a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Scotland County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Scotland County, MO is not scared to square off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Scotland County-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably troubling 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 Scotland County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

• 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 Scotland County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured 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 in jeopardy, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait talking 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 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Scotland County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You could lose years of your life serving time 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. Convicted felons are barred 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 is an obvious obstacle to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

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

Felony Charges and Punishments in Scotland County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes that reflect 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime typically classified as 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Scotland County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less serious.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. If you have a strong case 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 to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Scotland County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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

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 Scotland County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Scotland County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Scotland 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 Scotland County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Scotland County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

More and more Scotland County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Scotland County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Scotland 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 issued a traffic ticket in Scotland County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Scotland County traffic ticket.

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

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• 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 Scotland County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right Scotland County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Scotland 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 receive round-the-clock access to the Scotland County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Scotland County, from a simple moving violation for speeding to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 experienced Scotland County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.