Criminal Defense Attorney in Howell County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Howell County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many situations, you will be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely limits where they can work or live.

The winning Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Howell County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Howell County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Howell County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Howell County, MO criminal case.

Howell County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough proposition, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra amount of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often 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 a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to coax a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Howell 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Howell County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Howell County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

• 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 Howell County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 very life on the line, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a Howell County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 a sound approach to 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 Howell 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 many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited 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 moving forward in 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 able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Howell County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Howell County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Howell County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity. Depending on the class of your felony conviction, 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh 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, meaning what is 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Howell County representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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

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 Howell County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Howell 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 Howell 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Howell County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Howell County traffic ticket, you essentially 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 drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

A growing number of Howell County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Howell County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor 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, 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 exceptional Howell County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 Howell 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 begin the process of fixing your Howell County traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Howell County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Howell County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will get round-the-clock access to the Howell County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Howell County, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding 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 before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Howell County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.