Criminal Defense Attorney in Savannah, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you know the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Even a conviction for a minor crime could force you to pay an expensive fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often severely limits where they can live or work.
The skilled Savannah, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Savannah-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes decent people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning is notable among Savannah 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 Savannah clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Savannah, MO criminal case.
Andrew County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Andrew County and Missouri.
Savannah, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened amount of legal intelligence and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to get a guilty plea, make sure 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 Savannah, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Savannah, MO is not afraid to square 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 protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Savannah 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 Savannah, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The proficient Savannah, 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 Savannah, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.
With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate talking to a Savannah area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. 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 speak to a Savannah, MO criminal defense attorney 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 encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled 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 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, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Savannah, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Savannah, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.
Andrew County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Andrew County and Missouri.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Savannah, 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 – no more than four years in prison
In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. They will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.
There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is usually 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Savannah criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you 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 is not willing 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Savannah, MO criminal defense attorneys.
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, 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, 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 Savannah, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Savannah, 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 Savannah-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 written a traffic ticket in Savannah, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Savannah traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically 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 once again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Savannah drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Savannah traffic ticket lawyer, and with 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 influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Savannah traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Savannah, 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 Savannah traffic ticket fixed.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Savannah, 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
- DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
Hire Your Savannah, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Selecting the right Savannah, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Savannah defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will have anytime access to the Savannah criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.
When you are looking at criminal charges in Savannah, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Savannah, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.