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Blue Springs, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorney in Blue Springs, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Blue Springs, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a sizable fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many cases, you will be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Blue Springs, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Blue Springs, MO area. Our firm realizes that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Blue Springs 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 Blue Springs clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Blue Springs, MO criminal case.

Blue Springs, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is stressful enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra caliber of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops 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 Blue Springs, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Blue Springs, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Blue Springs-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 Blue Springs, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Blue Springs, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Blue Springs, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. 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 hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Blue Springs, 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 defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a Blue Springs, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

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 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 forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. 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. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Blue Springs, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Blue Springs, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Blue Springs, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. 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 – 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 receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment is up to the judge. They will weigh 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, so what is typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Blue Springs criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain 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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Blue Springs, 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 categorized based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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

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 Blue Springs, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Blue Springs, 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 defense attorneys in the Blue Springs, 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Blue Springs, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Blue Springs traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 greatly 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 window you could be facing stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Blue Springs drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Blue Springs traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence 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, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Blue Springs traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Blue Springs, 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 fixing your Blue Springs traffic ticket.

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

Hire Your Blue Springs, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Blue Springs, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Blue Springs 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 get 24/7 access to the Blue Springs criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Blue Springs, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Blue Springs, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.

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