Criminal Defense Attorney in Harrison County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Harrison County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a small crime could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after 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 prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Harrison County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Harrison County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Harrison County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Harrison County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Harrison County, MO criminal case.

Harrison County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating enough, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require an extra level of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises 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 an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Harrison County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Harrison County, MO is not scared 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 helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Harrison County area and helped them 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 Harrison County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Harrison County, 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 Harrison County, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Harrison 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 get to work building 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Harrison County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

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. 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 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, 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, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Harrison County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Harrison County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Harrison County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. They will take into account 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, so what is 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Harrison County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony could be dropped down 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 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 determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Harrison County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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 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 Harrison County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Harrison 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 defense attorneys in the Harrison 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Harrison County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Harrison County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you 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 greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Harrison County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Harrison County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Harrison 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 Harrison 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 Harrison County traffic ticket.

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

• Gun Crime Lawyer
• 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

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

Choosing the right Harrison County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Harrison 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 24/7 access to the Harrison County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

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