Criminal Defense Attorney in Harrisonville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Harrisonville, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a small crime could force you to pay a large fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many situations, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Harrisonville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Harrisonville-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Harrisonville 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 Harrisonville clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Harrisonville, MO criminal case.

Harrisonville, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require a heightened stage of legal knowledge and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often boasts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in 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, make sure 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 Harrisonville, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Harrisonville, MO is not scared to take on any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many Harrisonville-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly harrowing 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 Harrisonville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Harrisonville, 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 Harrisonville, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate 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 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 criminal defense attorney in Harrisonville, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred 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 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 suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Harrisonville, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Harrisonville, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Harrisonville, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. 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

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to is up to the judge. They will weigh information such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so a crime usually considered 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 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Harrisonville representing you, your original 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 may be able to obtain a lesser punishment.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. If you have a strong case but the prosecutor is not willing 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 Harrisonville, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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. 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 Harrisonville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Harrisonville, 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 Harrisonville, MO area 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Harrisonville, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Harrisonville traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to harsher penalties.

More and more Harrisonville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Harrisonville traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure 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 an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Harrisonville 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 Harrisonville, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Harrisonville traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Harrisonville, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Harrisonville defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive 24/7 access to the Harrisonville criminal defense lawyer that is 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 have been indicted on criminal charges in Harrisonville, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to serious felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the experienced Harrisonville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.