Criminal Defense Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a small crime could force you to pay a hefty fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many cases, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which often severely limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Cape Girardeau-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of success distinguishes us from other Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Cape Girardeau, MO criminal case.

Cape Girardeau, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened amount of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those 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 get a guilty plea, ensure 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 Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Cape Girardeau, 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 assisted many Cape Girardeau-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Cape Girardeau, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 very life at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off reaching out to a Cape Girardeau area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a sound approach to your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a criminal defense attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

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 encarcerated in state prisons, and as 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 prohibited 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 job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Cape Girardeau, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. They will weigh factors including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal 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. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with 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 Cape Girardeau representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able 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 determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Cape Girardeau, 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 categorized into groups 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 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 Cape Girardeau, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau-based 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Cape Girardeau traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

Many Cape Girardeau drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cape Girardeau traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Cape Girardeau traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Cape Girardeau, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Cape Girardeau traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Cape Girardeau, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Cape Girardeau 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 get round-the-clock access to the Cape Girardeau criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Cape Girardeau, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.