Criminal Defense Attorney in Bolivar, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Bolivar, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a small infraction could force you to pay a sizable fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release from prison you will no longer enjoy additional rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many situations, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which usually severely limits where they can live or work.

The winning Bolivar, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Bolivar-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Bolivar criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Bolivar clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Bolivar, MO criminal case.

Bolivar, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require an extra amount of legal intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to get a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Bolivar, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample 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 Bolivar, 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 passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many Bolivar-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 Bolivar, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 wait speaking to a Bolivar area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy 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 Bolivar, 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 could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bolivar, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Bolivar, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Bolivar, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so what is usually 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 in crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Bolivar representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down 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 your case for your innocence is sound 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 to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Bolivar, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Bolivar, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bolivar, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our defense attorneys in the Bolivar, MO area 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Bolivar, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Bolivar traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

An increasing number of Bolivar drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bolivar traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Bolivar traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Bolivar, 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 Bolivar traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Bolivar, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Bolivar 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 get round-the-clock access to the Bolivar criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Bolivar, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us 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 Bolivar, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.