Criminal Defense Attorney in Cedar Hill, MO
Criminal Defense Attorney in Cedar Hill, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you know the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can work or live.
The winning Cedar Hill, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people overcome criminal convictions in the Cedar Hill, MO area. Our firm understands that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Cedar Hill 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 Cedar Hill 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 Cedar Hill, MO criminal case.
Cedar Hill, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
An allegation of any crime is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened caliber of legal knowledge and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 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 every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Cedar Hill, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Cedar Hill, MO is not scared to square off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many Cedar Hill-area residents who were looking at all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly scary 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 Cedar Hill, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The skilled Cedar Hill, 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 Cedar Hill, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 hanging in the balance, 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 put off speaking to a Cedar Hill area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Cedar Hill, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Cedar Hill, 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, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious impairment to moving forward in 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 in some cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Cedar Hill, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Cedar Hill, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Cedar Hill, Missouri
In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity. 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
- Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison
Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding 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 what is usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen 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. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Cedar Hill criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a less serious.
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 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 determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Cedar Hill, 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
Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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. 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 Cedar Hill, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cedar Hill, 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 Cedar Hill-based defense attorneys 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 given a traffic ticket in Cedar Hill, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Cedar Hill traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing harsher penalties.
More and more Cedar Hill drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cedar Hill traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence 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, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Cedar Hill traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Cedar Hill, 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 fixing your Cedar Hill traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Cedar Hill, 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 Cedar Hill, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Choosing the right Cedar Hill, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Cedar Hill 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 receive anytime access to the Cedar Hill 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 facing criminal charges in Cedar Hill, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 Cedar Hill, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.
