Criminal Defense Attorney in Lebanon, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lebanon, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of 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 increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that most people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people rise above criminal allegations in the Lebanon, MO area. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Lebanon 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 Lebanon clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Lebanon, MO criminal case.

Lebanon, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal acumen and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department 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 get 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 Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Lebanon, MO is not afraid to square 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 stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Lebanon area and helped them put what is a certainly scary 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 Lebanon, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 freedom and future in jeopardy, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait 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 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 Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A criminal conviction for even a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. 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. Convicted felons are limited from owning 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 are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not panic. 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 Lebanon, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Lebanon, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Lebanon, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. They will take into account information 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, so a crime typically classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have 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. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Lebanon representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less severe.

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 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 our Lebanon, 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. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Lebanon, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lebanon, 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 Lebanon-based defense attorneys 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.

Being given a traffic ticket in Lebanon, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Lebanon traffic ticket, you effectively 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically 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 again during this window you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

More and more Lebanon drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lebanon traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every 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 rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Lebanon 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 given a traffic ticket in Lebanon, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Lebanon traffic ticket fixed.

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

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

Finding the right Lebanon, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Lebanon defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Lebanon 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 any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Lebanon, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.