Criminal Defense Attorney in Ripley County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ripley County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Even being convicted of a small crime could force you to pay a large fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you subject to several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which usually drastically limits where they can work or live.

The winning Ripley County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people rise above criminal convictions in the Ripley County, MO area. Our firm gets 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 ability to live life. Our record of success is notable among Ripley County 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 Ripley County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Ripley County, MO criminal case.

Ripley County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is stressful in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require an extra caliber of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often brags that it has a conviction rate of about 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 use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce 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 Ripley County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ripley County, 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 passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Ripley County area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 Ripley County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Ripley County, 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 Ripley County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 freedom and future in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Ripley 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 your case and allowing you to breathe you to breathe a little easier as we tackle the looming uncertainty of an impending criminal court proceeding. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a Ripley County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction for even a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, 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 as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 moving forward in life.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Ripley County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Ripley County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Ripley County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including the specific circumstances of 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 typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen 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 Ripley County representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.

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 demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Ripley County, 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 grouped into categories 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 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. 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 Ripley County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ripley County, 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 Ripley County-based defense attorneys can help you through our expert 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 given a traffic ticket in Ripley County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Ripley County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

A growing number of Ripley County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ripley County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence 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, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Ripley County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Ripley 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 getting your Ripley County traffic ticket fixed.

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

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

Selecting the right Ripley County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Ripley County 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 anytime access to the Ripley County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Ripley County, 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 set up a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Ripley County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.