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Gasconade County, MO

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Posted by Emily Herr on March 22, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorney in Gasconade County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Gasconade County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even being convicted of a small misdemeanor could force you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but after your reentry into society you will no longer be entitled to additional rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many cases, you will be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Gasconade County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes decent people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Gasconade 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 Gasconade 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 Gasconade County, MO criminal case.

Gasconade County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal acumen and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to coax a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Gasconade 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 stood up for many Gasconade County-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly 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 Gasconade County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Gasconade County, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. 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 hanging in the balance, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Gasconade County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy 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 Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

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

Punishments for Felony Charges in Gasconade County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes based on the severity. Depending 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

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by 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, meaning what is typically 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 for 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 Gasconade County representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less severe.

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 refuses 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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

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 Gasconade County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Gasconade County, 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 Gasconade County-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent traffic law 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 Gasconade County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Gasconade County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to increased penalties.

More and more Gasconade County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Gasconade County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop 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 police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Gasconade County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 given a traffic ticket in Gasconade 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 Gasconade County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Gasconade County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Gasconade County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get anytime access to the Gasconade County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Gasconade County, from a small moving violation for failing to properly signal to severe 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 that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Gasconade County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.

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