Criminal Defense Attorney Joplin, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Joplin, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just being convicted of a small infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release you will no longer be entitled to certain privileges or rights that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many cases, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Joplin, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many people overcome criminal allegations in the Joplin, MO area. Our firm understands that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning is notable among Joplin criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Joplin 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 Joplin, MO criminal case.

Joplin, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require an extra stage of legal knowledge and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to coax a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Joplin, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Joplin, MO is not afraid to face off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Joplin area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Joplin, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Joplin, 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 Joplin, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 on the line, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not wait speaking 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 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 talk to a Joplin, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. 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. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 required 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 believe you are likely to be convicted, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Joplin, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Joplin, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Joplin, Missouri

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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is up to the judge. They will take into account factors including 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 what is 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 based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Joplin criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less severe.

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 demonstrating your innocence 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 you are guilty. Contact our Joplin, 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 grouped into categories 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 Joplin, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Joplin, 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 Joplin, 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 written a traffic ticket in Joplin, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Joplin traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for 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, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Joplin drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Joplin traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Joplin traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Joplin, 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 Joplin traffic ticket.

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

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Hire Your Joplin, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right Joplin, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Joplin defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will have round-the-clock access to the Joplin criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Joplin, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. 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 driven Joplin, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.