Criminal Defense Attorney in Jefferson County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Jefferson County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Even a conviction for a small misdemeanor could force you to pay a hefty fine, do time behind bars, 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 encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release you will no longer have additional privileges or rights that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many cases, you could be forced to share your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually drastically limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Jefferson County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Jefferson County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success is notable among Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, MO criminal case.

Jefferson County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened level of legal intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal 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 rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Jefferson County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Jefferson County, 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 fought for many Jefferson County-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably troubling 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 Jefferson County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

• 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 Jefferson County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, 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 have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your very life on the line, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate talking to a Jefferson County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a criminal defense attorney in Jefferson County, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction for even a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, 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 encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited 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 have already received a felony conviction or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Jefferson County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Jefferson County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Jefferson County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes that reflect 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 – 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 terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. They will weigh information such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning a crime usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have prior convictions or in crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Jefferson County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 demonstrating your innocence 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 to find you guilty. Contact our Jefferson County, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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. 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 Jefferson County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, MO area 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 given a traffic ticket in Jefferson County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Jefferson County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

An increasing number of Jefferson County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Jefferson County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Jefferson County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Jefferson County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Jefferson 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 get 24/7 access to the Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Jefferson County, from a simple traffic ticket for an improper lane change to severe 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 skilled Jefferson County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.