Criminal Defense Attorney in Lewis County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lewis County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just being convicted of a small crime could force you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The skilled Lewis County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Lewis County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Lewis County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Lewis County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Lewis County, MO criminal case.

Lewis County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra amount of legal acumen and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often touts 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 pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, guarantee 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 Lewis County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Lewis 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Lewis County area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Lewis County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Lewis 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 Lewis County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense 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 very life at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking to a Lewis 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 dedicate our time and effort toward 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 Lewis County, 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, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are barred from owning 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious impairment to moving forward in life.

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 pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Lewis County, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Lewis County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Lewis County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will take into account 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, meaning a crime typically classified as 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 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 Lewis County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less severe.

You may also be able to avoid a criminal conviction altogether, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. If your case for your innocence is sound 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 determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Lewis 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 into groups based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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 in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Lewis County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lewis County, 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 Lewis County-based defense attorneys 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.

Being written a traffic ticket in Lewis County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Lewis County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at harsher penalties.

A growing number of Lewis County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lewis County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Lewis County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Lewis County, 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 getting your Lewis County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Finding the right Lewis County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Lewis County 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 get anytime access to the Lewis County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are facing criminal charges in Lewis County, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Lewis County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.