Criminal Defense Attorney Osage Beach, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Osage Beach, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a sizable fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years in the Missouri state prisons, but following your reentry into society you will no longer have certain privileges or rights that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually heavily limits where they can work or live.

The experienced Osage Beach, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Osage Beach, MO area. Our firm realizes that sometimes good people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Osage Beach 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 Osage Beach 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 Osage Beach, MO criminal case.

Osage Beach, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra level of legal intelligence and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly brags 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 all the stops to induce a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Osage Beach, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Osage Beach, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many Osage Beach-area residents who were facing all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly 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 Osage Beach, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Osage Beach, 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 Osage Beach, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your very life on the line, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate speaking to a Osage Beach area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Osage Beach, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 Osage Beach, 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. When the crime is a felony, 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 so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are barred 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Osage Beach, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Osage Beach, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Osage Beach, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by the judge. They will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime 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. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Osage Beach representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able 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 you have a strong case but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 our Osage Beach, 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 categorized into groups 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, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Osage Beach, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Osage Beach, 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 Osage Beach, 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.

Being given a traffic ticket in Osage Beach, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Osage Beach traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed 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 harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Osage Beach drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Osage Beach traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure 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. Most importantly, our premier Osage Beach 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 written a traffic ticket in Osage Beach, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Osage Beach traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Osage Beach, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Osage Beach 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 Osage Beach criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Osage Beach, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Osage Beach, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.