Criminal Defense Attorney in Wayne County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Wayne County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just a conviction for a minor infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your reentry into society you will no longer have certain privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often drastically limits where they can work or live.

The experienced Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Wayne County, MO area. Our firm knows that sometimes good people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County, MO criminal case.

Wayne County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened amount of legal intelligence and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce 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 Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Wayne County, MO is not afraid to square 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 Wayne County area and helped them 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 Wayne County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

• 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 Wayne County, 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-based law firm, 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 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 to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Wayne County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Wayne County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Wayne County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons 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 have already received a felony conviction 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 for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Wayne County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Wayne County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Wayne County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on the severity. Based 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors 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 what is typically classified as 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 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 Wayne County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 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 determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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 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. 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 Wayne County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Wayne 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 Wayne 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 written a traffic ticket in Wayne County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Wayne County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Wayne County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Wayne County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to all 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, 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 premier Wayne 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 Wayne County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Wayne County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Wayne County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Wayne County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Wayne 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 any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Wayne County, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.