Criminal Defense Attorney in Audrain County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Audrain County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a sizable fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many instances, you will be required to share your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often drastically limits where they can live or work.

The experienced Audrain County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Audrain County, MO area. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of success is notable among Audrain County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Audrain County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Audrain County, MO criminal case.

Audrain County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra caliber of legal acumen and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The vast 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 pull out all the stops 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 Audrain County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Audrain County, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Audrain County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Audrain County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Audrain 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 Audrain County, Missouri possess years 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 receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 in jeopardy, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Audrain County, 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Audrain County, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction for even a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, 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 could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges 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 forced 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 have already received a felony conviction 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 seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Audrain County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Audrain County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Audrain County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. 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

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors such as the specific circumstances of 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 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Audrain County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a 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 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 demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor is not willing 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Audrain County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

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, 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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. 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 Audrain County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Audrain County, 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 Audrain County-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 Audrain County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Audrain County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be staring down 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 at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be facing harsher penalties.

Many Audrain County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Audrain County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge 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, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Audrain County 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 Audrain County, 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 Audrain County traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Hire Your Audrain County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Audrain County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Audrain County defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive anytime access to the Audrain County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Audrain County, from a simple moving violation 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 set up a free consultation, but before you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Audrain County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.