Criminal Defense Attorney in Cuba, MO
Criminal Defense Attorney in Cuba, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you understand the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could force you to pay a sizable fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many situations, you could be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely limits where they can live or work.
The experienced Cuba, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Cuba-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Cuba criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Cuba 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 Cuba, MO criminal case.
Cuba, 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 knowledge and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to get a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Cuba, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Cuba, MO is not afraid to face off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Cuba-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably 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 Cuba, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The skilled Cuba, 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 Cuba, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that 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 have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.
With your very life on the line, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate talking to a Cuba area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 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 Cuba, MO about your criminal case.
What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?
A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are forced 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 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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Cuba, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Cuba, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Cuba, Missouri
Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes 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 – no more than 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 variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is up to 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, so a crime 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 for crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Cuba criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be reduced 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 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 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Cuba, 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 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. 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 Cuba, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cuba, MO
Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Cuba-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 Cuba, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Cuba traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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 generally 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 window you could be looking at increased penalties.
An increasing number of Cuba drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cuba traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Cuba traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Cuba, 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 begin the process of getting your Cuba traffic ticket fixed.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Cuba, 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 Cuba, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Selecting the right Cuba, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Cuba defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will get round-the-clock access to the Cuba criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.
When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Cuba, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us 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 Cuba, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.