Criminal Defense Attorney Kirksville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Kirksville, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Even being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay a large fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many instances, you could be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Kirksville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Kirksville-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that sometimes good people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning is notable among Kirksville criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Kirksville clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Kirksville, MO criminal case.

Kirksville, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra level of legal knowledge and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge 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 federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Kirksville, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Kirksville, 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 Kirksville-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Kirksville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Kirksville, 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 Kirksville, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 on the line, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Kirksville area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Kirksville, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a sound approach to 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 Kirksville, 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. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, 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 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 forced 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 believe you are likely to be convicted, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Kirksville, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Kirksville, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Kirksville, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories 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

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors 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, meaning a crime typically classified as 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 Kirksville representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Kirksville, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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 in certain cases. 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 Kirksville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Kirksville, 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 Kirksville, MO area 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 Kirksville, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Kirksville traffic ticket, you essentially 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

An increasing number of Kirksville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Kirksville traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Kirksville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Kirksville, 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 start the process of fixing your Kirksville traffic ticket.

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

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Kirksville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Kirksville, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Kirksville defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get round-the-clock access to the Kirksville criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Kirksville, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Kirksville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.