Criminal Defense Attorney in Kearney, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Kearney, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you know the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a small crime could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people overcome criminal allegations in the Kearney, MO area. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success is notable among Kearney 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 Kearney clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Kearney, MO criminal case.

Kearney, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal knowledge and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts 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 an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Kearney, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Kearney area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 Kearney, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Kearney, 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 Kearney, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident 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 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 you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a Kearney area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Kearney, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 Kearney, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, 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 will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 is an obvious obstacle to moving forward in life.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Kearney, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Kearney, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Kearney, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. Depending 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 depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. They will take into account factors such as 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 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 for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes 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 Kearney criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups 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 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. As conditions of your probation sentence, you may be required to fulfill additional requirements 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 Kearney, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Kearney, 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 Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Kearney 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed 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 facing increased penalties.

An increasing number of Kearney drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Kearney 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 non-stop 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Kearney traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Kearney, 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 getting your Kearney traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Kearney, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Kearney 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 Kearney 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 anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Kearney, from a small moving violation for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.