Criminal Defense Attorney Lee’s Summit, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lee’s Summit, 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. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years in the Missouri state prison system, but following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically limits where they can live or work.

The winning Lee’s Summit, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Lee’s Summit, MO area. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Lee’s Summit criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Lee’s Summit clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Lee’s Summit, MO criminal case.

Lee’s Summit, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require a heightened amount of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to induce a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Lee’s Summit, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Lee’s Summit, MO is not afraid to face 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 stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Lee’s Summit area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Lee’s Summit, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Lee’s Summit, 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 Lee’s Summit, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your very life in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Lee’s Summit, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward 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 Lee’s Summit, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, 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 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon 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 for certain cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Lee’s Summit, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Lee’s Summit, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories 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 outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. They will weigh information including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so a crime typically considered 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 for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Lee’s Summit criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

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 take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Lee’s Summit, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced in certain cases. 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 Lee’s Summit, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lee’s Summit, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Lee’s Summit, MO area can help you through our expert 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 Lee’s Summit, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Lee’s Summit traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 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 once again during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

Many Lee’s Summit drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lee’s Summit traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Lee’s Summit traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 given a traffic ticket in Lee’s Summit, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Lee’s Summit traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Lee’s Summit, 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.

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Lee’s Summit, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Lee’s Summit, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Lee’s Summit defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will have round-the-clock access to the Lee’s Summit 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 Lee’s Summit, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Lee’s Summit, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.