Criminal Defense Attorney in Warren County, MO
Criminal Defense Attorney in Warren County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you know the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just a conviction for a minor 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 several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can work or live.
The skilled Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Warren County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Warren County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Warren County 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 Warren County, MO criminal case.
Warren County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Warren County and Missouri.
Warren County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened stage of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to coax 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 Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Warren County, 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 passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Warren County-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly 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 Warren County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The experienced Warren County, 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 Warren County, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.
With your very life hanging in the balance, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Warren County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Warren County, MO about your criminal case.
Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences
A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled 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 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, 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, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Warren County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Warren County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.
Warren County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Warren County and Missouri.
Punishments for Felony Charges in Warren County, Missouri
Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on 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
In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is up to the judge. They will take into account information such as 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, so what is typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with prior convictions or for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Warren County representing you, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less serious.
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 demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor is not willing 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 to find you guilty. Contact our Warren County, 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 classified 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 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 Warren County, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Warren County, 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 Warren County-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 written a traffic ticket in Warren County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Warren County traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Warren County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Warren County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Warren County 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 given a traffic ticket in Warren County, 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 fixing your Warren County traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Warren County, 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 Warren County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Finding the right Warren County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Warren County 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 receive anytime access to the Warren County 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 facing criminal charges in Warren County, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up 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 experienced Warren County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.