Criminal Defense Attorney in Hannibal, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Hannibal, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many situations, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Hannibal, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Hannibal-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Hannibal 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 Hannibal 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 Hannibal, MO criminal case.

Hannibal, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand an extra level of legal intelligence and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Hannibal, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Hannibal, MO is not scared 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 stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Hannibal area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Hannibal, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a Hannibal, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction for even a low class misdemeanor could result in 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 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 purchasing or possessing 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 living a successful, lawful 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 in some cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Hannibal, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Hannibal, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Hannibal, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity of the crime. Depending 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 – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding 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 what is typically 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. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Hannibal criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less serious.

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 determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Hannibal, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like 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

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 Hannibal, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, MO area can help you through our expert 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 Hannibal, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Hannibal traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

More and more Hannibal drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Hannibal traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, 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 Hannibal traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Hannibal, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Hannibal defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive anytime access to the Hannibal 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 facing criminal charges in Hannibal, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Hannibal, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.