Criminal Defense Attorney in Texas County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Texas County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release you will no longer have additional privileges or rights 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 situations, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often drastically limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Texas County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Texas County, MO area. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning is notable among Texas 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 Texas County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Texas County, MO criminal case.

Texas County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough situation, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require an extra amount of legal intelligence and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts 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 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 Texas County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Texas County, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — be it 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 Texas County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Texas County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Texas 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 Texas County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Texas County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Texas County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction, even for a minor infraction or 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 encarcerated in state prisons, and as 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 barred from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. 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 believe you are likely to be convicted, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Texas County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Texas County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Texas County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity. Depending on what class felony you are convicted of, 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 outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors including 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 what is typically classified as 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 based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Texas County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a 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.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, 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 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Texas County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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 Texas County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Texas County, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Texas County-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 given a traffic ticket in Texas County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Texas County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck 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 Texas County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Texas County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small 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, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our top-notch Texas County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Texas 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 Texas County traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Texas 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 Texas County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Texas County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Texas County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get round-the-clock access to the Texas County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Texas County, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to 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 time working with the skilled Texas County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.