Criminal Defense Attorney in Scott County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Scott County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a small infraction could force you to pay a hefty fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you could be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Scott County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many people rise above criminal convictions in the Scott County, MO area. Our firm realizes that sometimes good people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Scott 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 Scott County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Scott County, MO criminal case.

Scott County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require an extra caliber of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in 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 get a guilty plea, make sure 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 Scott County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Scott County, MO is not scared 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 stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Scott County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Scott County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Scott 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 Scott County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense 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, 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 at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate speaking to a Scott County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Scott County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, 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 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 forced 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, you are not without options. 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. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Scott County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Scott County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Scott County, Missouri

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

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. They will take into account information including 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 a crime usually considered 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 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 Scott County representing you, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a less severe.

You may also be able to avoid a criminal conviction altogether, 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 refuses to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Scott 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 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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 Scott County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Scott 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 defense attorneys in the Scott County, MO area 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 written a traffic ticket in Scott County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Scott County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

Many Scott County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Scott County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Scott 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 written a traffic ticket in Scott 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 Scott County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Scott County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Scott County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will have 24/7 access to the Scott 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 your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Scott County, from a simple moving violation for speeding to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Scott County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.