Criminal Defense Attorney in Mexico, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a small crime 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 increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many cases, you will be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which usually severely curtails where they can work or live.
The winning Mexico, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Mexico, MO area. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Mexico criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Mexico clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Mexico, MO criminal case.
Audrain County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Audrain County and Missouri.
Mexico, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand 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 boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 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 get 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 Mexico, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Mexico, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many Mexico-area residents who were looking at all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 Mexico, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The proficient Mexico, 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 Mexico, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.
With your very life at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Mexico, 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 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Mexico, MO about your criminal case.
Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences
Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 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 panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Mexico, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Mexico, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.
Audrain County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Audrain County and Missouri.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Mexico, Missouri
In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect 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 factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. They will weigh information such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.
However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime typically considered 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 in crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Mexico criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be minimized 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 is not willing 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Mexico, 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 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 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 Mexico, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Mexico, 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 Mexico, 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 Mexico, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Mexico traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be facing stiffer penalties.
More and more Mexico drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Mexico traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our exceptional Mexico traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Mexico, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Mexico traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Mexico, 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 Mexico, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Selecting the right Mexico, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Mexico defense attorneys, our firm places complete 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 Mexico criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.
When you are looking at criminal charges in Mexico, from a small moving violation for speeding to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Mexico, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.