Criminal Defense Attorney in Macon County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Macon County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just a conviction for a small crime could cause you to pay a large fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many cases, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Macon County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Macon County, MO area. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Macon County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Macon County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Macon County, MO criminal case.

Macon County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra stage of legal intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often boasts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these 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 all the stops to induce a guilty plea, ensure 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 Macon County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Macon County, MO is not afraid to face off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Macon County area and helped them 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 Macon County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Macon 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 Macon County, Missouri have decades 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 will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

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 freedome. Do not procrastinate speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Macon County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward 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 Macon County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction for even a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, 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 as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from owning 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 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, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Macon County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Macon County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Macon County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. Based 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 conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors including 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 usually classified as 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Macon County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less severe.

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 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Macon County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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 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 Macon County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Macon 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 Macon County, MO area 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.

Being given a traffic ticket in Macon County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Macon County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 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, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

A growing number of Macon County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Macon 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 tirelessly 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Macon County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 written a traffic ticket in Macon 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 Macon County traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Macon County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Macon County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute 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 Macon County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

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