Criminal Defense Attorney

Posted by Christopher Combs on January 29, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Louis, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Greater St. Louis, MO. Being arrested is a jarring experience under any circumstances. But just because you have been accused of a crime does not mean your life is ruined. It is a serious matter, without question, but by exercising your right to legal representation by hiring a qualified criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis, you have a fighting chance to rise above this incident. With the expert legal defense of a Combs Waterkotte defense attorney in the St. Louis area, you can get a significantly better outcome in your case or may be able to beat the charges altogether.

The skilled St. Louis, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many St. Louis-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our firm works to minimize the effect criminal charges can have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of success is notable among St. Louis criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your St. Louis criminal case.

St. Louis Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is scary enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require an extra level of legal acumen and concern. There are many differences between criminal charges at the state and federal levels. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the Justice Department regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 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, ensure 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 St. Louis criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our firm is not afraid to take on any opponent, be it local municipal prosecutors or federal attorneys, and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many St. Louis-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably troubling 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 St. Louis, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled St. Louis, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in St. Louis, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can get to work building your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now to talk to a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, county jail time, or years of supervised probation. For felony charges the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled 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 holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases they will be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rent 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, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights while in some cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in St. Louis to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our St. Louis defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will take into account factors such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is typically 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney 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 get you 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 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 St. Louis felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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 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 St. Louis defense attorney now.

Lawyer for Traffic Tickets In St. Louis, 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 St. Louis criminal defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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.

A traffic ticket in St. Louis, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your St. Louis traffic ticket fine, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you 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 drastically 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 another time during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

As your St. Louis traffic ticket lawyer, we work tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier St. Louis 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 St. Louis and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP.

Hire Your St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other St. Louis defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive 24/7 access to the St. Louis criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled St. Louis criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.

Criminal Defense Attorney