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Camden County, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorney in Camden County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Camden County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a small infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many instances, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Camden County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Camden County, MO area. Our firm realizes that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the effect a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Camden County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Camden County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Camden County, MO criminal case.

Camden County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand an extra stage of legal intelligence and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in 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 get a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Camden 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 firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Camden 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 fought for many Camden County-area residents who were looking at all kinds 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 Camden County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Camden County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Camden County, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a Camden County 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 dedicate our time and effort toward building a sound approach to 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 Camden County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. 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 so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons 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 forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which is an obvious impairment to living a successful, lawful life.

If you are already a felon 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. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Camden County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Camden County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Camden County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. Depending 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

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime 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. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Camden County representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain 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 is not willing to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Camden County, MO 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. 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, 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 defense attorney near Camden County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Camden County, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Camden County-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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Camden County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Camden 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 degree 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 in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

Many Camden County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Camden County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor 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, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Camden County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Camden 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 start the process of fixing your Camden County traffic ticket.

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

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

Finding the right Camden County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Camden County 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 get 24/7 access to the Camden County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Camden County, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Camden County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.

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