Criminal Defense Attorney in Crestwood, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Crestwood, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a small crime could force you to pay a sizable fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release from prison you will no longer have certain privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many situations, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Crestwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people rise above criminal convictions in the Crestwood, MO area. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of success is notable among Crestwood 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 Crestwood clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Crestwood, MO criminal case.

Crestwood, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened level of legal knowledge and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often boasts that it has a conviction rate of about 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 use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Crestwood, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Crestwood, MO is not scared 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 helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Crestwood area and helped them put what is an undoubtably scary 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 Crestwood, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Crestwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 Crestwood, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 in jeopardy, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a Crestwood, 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 encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights 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 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 are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Crestwood, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Crestwood, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Crestwood, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity. 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 – 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 variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment is 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, meaning a crime typically considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have 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 Crestwood representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain 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 but the prosecutor is not willing 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 to find you guilty. Contact our Crestwood, 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 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

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

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Crestwood, 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 Crestwood-based defense attorneys can help you through our expert 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Crestwood, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Crestwood traffic ticket, you effectively 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 at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

More and more Crestwood drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Crestwood traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single 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, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Crestwood traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Crestwood, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Crestwood traffic ticket.

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

• Drug Crimes Lawyer
• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers

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

Choosing the right Crestwood, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Crestwood defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get 24/7 access to the Crestwood criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Crestwood, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Crestwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.