Criminal Defense Attorney in Cooper County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Cooper County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to several years in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release from prison you will no longer have additional rights or privileges that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you could be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Cooper County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Cooper County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Cooper 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 Cooper County 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 Cooper County, MO criminal case.

Cooper County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra level of legal intelligence and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are 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 federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Cooper County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample 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 Cooper County, MO is not afraid to face off against 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 assisted many Cooper County-area residents who were looking at all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 Cooper County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Cooper 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 Cooper County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Whether 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 very life on the line, you need a legal ally 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 quicker you get an attorney on your case, 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 speak to a Cooper County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, 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 so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning 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 obstacle to living a successful, lawful life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Cooper County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Cooper County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Cooper County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. Based 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information including the situation surrounding 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 considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen for some defendants with prior convictions or for crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Cooper County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down 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 refuses 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Cooper County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

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

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. 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 Cooper County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Cooper County, 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 defense attorneys in the Cooper County, MO area 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.

Being given a traffic ticket in Cooper County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Cooper 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly 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 another time during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

An increasing number of Cooper County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Cooper County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch Cooper County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Cooper County, 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 start the process of getting your Cooper County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Cooper County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Cooper County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get round-the-clock access to the Cooper County 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 with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Cooper County, from a small moving violation for speeding to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Cooper County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.