Criminal Defense Attorney in Ste. Genevieve, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ste. Genevieve, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will no longer be entitled to certain rights or privileges that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many situations, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Ste. Genevieve-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of success is notable among Ste. Genevieve criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Ste. Genevieve clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal case.

Ste. Genevieve, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is stressful enough, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened level of legal acumen and care. United States prosecuting attorneys 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 use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, make sure 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 Ste. Genevieve, 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 Ste. Genevieve, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Ste. Genevieve area and helped them put what is a certainly harrowing 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 Ste. Genevieve, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Ste. Genevieve, 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 Ste. Genevieve, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

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 procrastinate reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Ste. Genevieve, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 criminal defense attorney in Ste. Genevieve, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us 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 obstacle to living a successful, lawful life.

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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Ste. Genevieve, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Ste. Genevieve, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. Based 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as 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 a crime usually 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 for crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Ste. Genevieve representing you, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less severe.

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 you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Ste. Genevieve, 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, 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. 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 Ste. Genevieve, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ste. Genevieve, 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 Ste. Genevieve-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 Ste. Genevieve, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Ste. Genevieve traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be facing increased penalties.

An increasing number of Ste. Genevieve drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ste. Genevieve traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Ste. Genevieve traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Ste. Genevieve, 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 getting your Ste. Genevieve traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys

Hire Your Ste. Genevieve, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Ste. Genevieve, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Ste. Genevieve 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 24/7 access to the Ste. Genevieve criminal defense lawyer 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 any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Ste. Genevieve, from a simple traffic ticket for an improper lane change to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Ste. Genevieve, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.