Criminal Defense Attorney in Butler County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Butler County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you understand that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many situations, you could be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often heavily limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Butler County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Butler County, MO area. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of success is notable among Butler County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Butler County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Butler County, MO criminal case.

Butler County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra level of legal intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in 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 coax a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Butler County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Butler County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Butler County area and helped them put what is a certainly troubling 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 Butler County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Butler County, 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 Butler County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future on the line, 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 criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Butler County, 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 get in touch with a Butler County, 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. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited 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 is an obvious limination to living a successful, lawful life.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Butler County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Butler County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Butler County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, 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 decided by the judge. They will take into account information including the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning a crime typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied 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. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Butler County representing you, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain 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 but the prosecutor refuses 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 Butler County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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. 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 Butler County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Butler County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our defense attorneys in the Butler County, MO area can help you through our excellent 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.

Being written a traffic ticket in Butler County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Butler County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you 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 dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

Many Butler County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Butler County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Butler County 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 issued a traffic ticket in Butler County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Butler County traffic ticket.

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

• 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 Butler County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Butler County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Butler County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive anytime access to the Butler County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Butler County, from a small moving violation for an improper lane change to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Butler County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.