Criminal Defense Attorney in Bonne Terre, MO
Criminal Defense Attorney in Bonne Terre, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a minor crime could cause you to pay a large fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but following your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many situations, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.
The skilled Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Bonne Terre-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of success is notable among Bonne Terre criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Bonne Terre clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Bonne Terre, MO criminal case.
Bonne Terre, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened stage of legal acumen and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal 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 Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Bonne Terre, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Bonne Terre-area residents who were looking at all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly scary 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 Bonne Terre, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The proficient Bonne Terre, 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 Bonne Terre, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.
With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a Bonne Terre 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 speak to a Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.
Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences
A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, 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. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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, 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. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Bonne Terre, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Bonne Terre, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Bonne Terre, Missouri
In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Based 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
- Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison
In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. They will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.
However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning what is usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Bonne Terre representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony could be dropped down 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 criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys.
Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri
Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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
The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Bonne Terre, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bonne Terre, 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 Bonne Terre-based defense attorneys can help you through our expert 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.
Being given a traffic ticket in Bonne Terre, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Bonne Terre traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.
A growing number of Bonne Terre drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Bonne Terre 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 without rest 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Bonne Terre traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Bonne Terre, 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 Bonne Terre traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Bonne Terre, 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 Bonne Terre, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte
Selecting the right Bonne Terre, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Bonne Terre 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 have 24/7 access to the Bonne Terre criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.
When you are looking at criminal charges in Bonne Terre, from a simple traffic ticket for an improper lane change to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call 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 experiences working with the driven Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.
