Criminal Defense Attorney in Osage Beach, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Osage Beach, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Osage Beach, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Osage Beach-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of success is notable among 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. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Osage Beach, MO criminal case.

Osage Beach, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal intelligence and dilligence. 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 about 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 every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, ensure 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 Osage Beach, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting 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 helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Osage Beach area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 skilled Osage Beach, 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 Osage Beach, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive 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 hanging in the balance, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. 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 your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a criminal defense attorney in Osage Beach, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, 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. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited 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 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 an experienced criminal defense attorney in Osage Beach, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. 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

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. They will weigh factors including 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 typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or for 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Osage Beach representing you, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less serious.

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 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 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

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Osage Beach, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Osage Beach, 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 Osage Beach-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in Osage Beach, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Osage Beach traffic ticket, you essentially 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

A growing number of Osage Beach drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Osage Beach traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure 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 police error. Best of all, our top-notch Osage Beach 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 issued a traffic ticket in Osage Beach, 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 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.

• 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 Osage Beach, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Osage Beach, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to 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 anytime 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 talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Osage Beach, from a simple moving violation 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 schedule a free consultation, but before you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Osage Beach, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.