Criminal Defense Attorney in Holt County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Holt County, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a small crime could cause you to pay a sizable fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release you will no longer have additional rights or privileges that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many instances, you could be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Holt County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Holt County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that sometimes decent people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of success is notable among Holt County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Holt County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Holt County, MO criminal case.

Holt County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened amount of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to coax a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Holt County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Holt County, MO is not scared to square off against 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 Holt County-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably scary 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 Holt County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Holt 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 Holt County, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your freedom and future on the line, you need someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Holt 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 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 criminal defense attorney in Holt County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, 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 as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which is an obvious impairment to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you have already received a felony conviction 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 for certain cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Holt County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Holt County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Holt County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity. Depending 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 depends on a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will weigh information such as the specific circumstances of 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 usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen if you have prior convictions or in 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Holt County criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you 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 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 to find you guilty. Contact our Holt 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 categorized 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 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. 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 Holt County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Holt 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 Holt 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 Holt County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Holt County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.

More and more Holt County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Holt County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Holt County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Holt 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 getting your Holt County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Holt County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Holt 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 receive round-the-clock access to the Holt County criminal defense lawyer that is 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 anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Holt County, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Holt County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.