Criminal Defense Attorney in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Even a conviction for a small infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Bellefontaine Neighbors-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of success is notable among Bellefontaine Neighbors criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Bellefontaine Neighbors clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal case.

Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened amount of legal acumen and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to coax a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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 assisted many Bellefontaine Neighbors-area residents who were looking at all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

• 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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 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 get in touch with a Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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 lose lifelong rights 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 required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which is an obvious obstacle to living a successful, lawful life.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. Depending 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 – 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 number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information including the situation surrounding 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 considered 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 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Bellefontaine Neighbors representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less severe.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, 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 refuses to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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. 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced in certain cases. 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Bellefontaine Neighbors, 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.

Being written a traffic ticket in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Bellefontaine Neighbors traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you 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 dramatically increase. Tickets in general 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 period you could be facing increased penalties.

Many Bellefontaine Neighbors drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bellefontaine Neighbors traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all 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 premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Bellefontaine Neighbors 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 issued a traffic ticket in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Bellefontaine Neighbors traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Bellefontaine Neighbors defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will have round-the-clock access to the Bellefontaine Neighbors criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Bellefontaine Neighbors, from a small moving violation for speeding to severe 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 experienced Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.