Criminal Defense Attorney in Carrollton, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Carrollton, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could force you to pay a hefty fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that most citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many situations, you could be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Carrollton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Carrollton, MO area. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of success is notable among Carrollton 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 Carrollton clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Carrollton, MO criminal case.

Carrollton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require a heightened caliber of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, make sure 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 Carrollton, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Carrollton, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Carrollton area and helped them put what is an undoubtably harrowing 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 Carrollton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait reaching out to a Carrollton 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 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 get in touch with a Carrollton, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with 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 may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited 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 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 are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Carrollton, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Carrollton, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Carrollton, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors including the situation surrounding the crime, your personal 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. This can happen if you have 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. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Carrollton criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a lesser punishment.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. 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 Carrollton, 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 grouped into categories based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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. 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 Carrollton, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Carrollton, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Carrollton, 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Carrollton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Carrollton traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

A growing number of Carrollton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Carrollton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced 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 an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Carrollton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Carrollton, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Carrollton traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Carrollton, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Carrollton 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 round-the-clock access to the Carrollton criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Carrollton, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Carrollton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.