Criminal Defense Attorney in Lexington, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lexington, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many situations, you will be forced to share your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually severely limits where they can work or live.

The experienced Lexington, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Lexington, MO area. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Lexington criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Lexington clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Lexington, MO criminal case.

Lexington, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating enough, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened stage of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Lexington, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Lexington, MO is not afraid to square 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 protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Lexington area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Lexington, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Lexington, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

• 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 Lexington, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Lexington, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, 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 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 barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. 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 living a successful, lawful life.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, you are not without options. 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. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Lexington, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Lexington, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Lexington, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes 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 conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is decided by the judge. They will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, meaning what is typically 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 for crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Lexington criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 you are guilty. Contact our Lexington, 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

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 Lexington, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Lexington, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Lexington-based defense attorneys can help you through our expert 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Lexington, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Lexington traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Lexington drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Lexington traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all 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 an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our premier Lexington traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Lexington, 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 Lexington traffic ticket.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Lexington, 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
• Criminal Lawyer

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

Choosing the right Lexington, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Lexington defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get anytime access to the Lexington criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Lexington, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Lexington, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.