Criminal Defense Attorney in Barry County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Barry County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a minor infraction could force you to pay a hefty fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you will be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Barry County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Barry County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our record of winning is notable among Barry County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Barry 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 Barry County, MO criminal case.

Barry County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand an extra stage of legal intelligence and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to get a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Barry County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Barry County, MO is not afraid 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 assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Barry County area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 Barry County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Barry 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 Barry 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 will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. 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 freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a Barry County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a minor infraction or 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 may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges 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 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Barry County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Barry County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Barry County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on the severity. 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 depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is decided by 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.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are 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 in crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Barry County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge 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 you have a strong case but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Barry 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, 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Barry County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Barry County, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Barry County-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 Barry County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Barry County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down 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 a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

An increasing number of Barry County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Barry County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen 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, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Barry County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Barry 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 start the process of getting your Barry County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Barry County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Barry County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get anytime access to the Barry County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

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