Criminal Defense Attorney in Poplar Bluff, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Poplar Bluff, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a small crime could cause you to pay a sizable fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release from prison you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many situations, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people rise above criminal convictions in the Poplar Bluff, MO area. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Poplar Bluff criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Poplar Bluff clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Poplar Bluff, MO criminal case.

Poplar Bluff, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra level of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 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 every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Poplar Bluff, MO is not afraid to take on 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 helped many Poplar Bluff-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly harrowing 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 Poplar Bluff, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 Poplar Bluff, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. 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 at risk of being taken from you, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Poplar Bluff area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Poplar Bluff, MO or anywhere in Missouri. 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Poplar Bluff, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, 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 as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, 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, all hope is not lost. 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 Poplar Bluff, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Poplar Bluff, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Based 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

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. They will take into account 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, so 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes 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 Poplar Bluff criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you 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 Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Poplar Bluff, 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 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. 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 Poplar Bluff, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff-based defense attorneys 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 Poplar Bluff, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Poplar Bluff traffic ticket, you essentially 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

More and more Poplar Bluff drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Poplar Bluff traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our top-notch Poplar Bluff 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 written a traffic ticket in Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Hire Your Poplar Bluff, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Poplar Bluff, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Poplar Bluff defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will have 24/7 access to the Poplar Bluff criminal defense lawyer that is 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 any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Poplar Bluff, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. 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 driven Poplar Bluff, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.