Criminal Defense Attorney in Belton, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Belton, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you know the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Even a conviction for a minor infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release from prison you will no longer have additional rights or privileges that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Belton, MO area. Our firm gets that sometimes good people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of success distinguishes us from other Belton criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Belton clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Belton, MO criminal case.

Belton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require a heightened level of legal intelligence and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book 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 Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Belton, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Belton area and helped them 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 Belton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

• 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 Belton, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait talking to a Belton area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Belton, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, 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 will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from purchasing or possessing 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 is an obvious obstacle to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

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 seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Belton, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Belton, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Belton, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity. 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

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. They will take into account information 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 a crime typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or in crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Belton criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you 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 but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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, 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 Belton, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Belton, 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 Belton-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 written a traffic ticket in Belton, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Belton traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing increased penalties.

An increasing number of Belton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Belton 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 non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Belton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 written a traffic ticket in Belton, 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 Belton traffic ticket fixed.

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

Hire Your Belton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Belton, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Belton defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Belton criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Belton, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Belton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.