Criminal Defense Attorney in Excelsior Springs, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Excelsior Springs, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a minor infraction could force you to pay a large fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your reentry into society you will no longer enjoy certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Excelsior Springs, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Excelsior Springs-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Excelsior Springs criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Excelsior Springs clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Excelsior Springs, MO criminal case.

Excelsior Springs, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand an extra stage of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly touts 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 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 Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Excelsior Springs, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Excelsior Springs, MO is not scared to square off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many Excelsior Springs-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably 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 Excelsior Springs, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Excelsior Springs, 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 Excelsior Springs, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether 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 hanging in the balance, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Excelsior Springs, MO or anywhere in Missouri. 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 criminal defense attorney in Excelsior Springs, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction for even a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, 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 once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are barred 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 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. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Excelsior Springs, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Excelsior Springs, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Excelsior Springs, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning a crime usually considered 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. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Excelsior Springs criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 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 our Excelsior Springs, 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. 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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 Excelsior Springs, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Excelsior Springs, 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 Excelsior Springs, 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 Excelsior Springs, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Excelsior Springs traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.

More and more Excelsior Springs drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Excelsior Springs traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Excelsior Springs traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Excelsior Springs, 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 fixing your Excelsior Springs traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Excelsior Springs, 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.

• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

Hire Your Excelsior Springs, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Excelsior Springs, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Excelsior Springs 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 receive round-the-clock access to the Excelsior Springs criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Excelsior Springs, from a small moving violation for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call 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 experiences working with the skilled Excelsior Springs, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.