Criminal Defense Attorney in Carroll County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Carroll County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Just a conviction for a minor crime could force you to pay a sizable fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release you will no longer have certain privileges or rights that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many cases, you will be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.

The winning Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Carroll County, MO area. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning is notable among Carroll County 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 Carroll County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Carroll County, MO criminal case.

Carroll County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require an extra stage of legal intelligence and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to induce 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 Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Carroll County, MO is not scared to square off against 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 who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Carroll County area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Carroll County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Carroll 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 Carroll County, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 very life on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight 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 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 get in touch with a Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which is an obvious limination to moving forward in life.

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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Carroll County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Carroll County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Carroll County, 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will weigh factors including the specific circumstances of 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 a crime usually classified as 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Carroll County criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain 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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Carroll 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 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, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Carroll County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Carroll 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 Carroll 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.

Being written a traffic ticket in Carroll County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Carroll 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 type of your offense, you could be staring down 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, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be facing harsher penalties.

Many Carroll County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Carroll County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Carroll County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 Carroll County, 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 fixing your Carroll County traffic ticket.

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

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• 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 Carroll County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Carroll County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Carroll County 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 anytime access to the Carroll County criminal defense lawyer 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 any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Carroll County, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to federal 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 ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Carroll County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.