Criminal Defense Attorney in Meramec Township, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Meramec Township, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even a conviction for a minor infraction could cause you to pay a large 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 multiple years in the Missouri state prison system, but following your release you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many situations, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often heavily curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Meramec Township, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Meramec Township, MO area. Our firm knows that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Meramec Township criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Meramec Township clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Meramec Township, MO criminal case.

Meramec Township, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra caliber of legal intelligence and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 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 stop at nothing to induce a guilty plea, make sure 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 Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township, MO is not scared 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 Meramec Township area and helped them put what is an unquestionably harrowing 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 Meramec Township, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Meramec Township, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building 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 speak to a Meramec Township, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with 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 in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons 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 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 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. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Meramec Township, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Meramec Township, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Meramec Township, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Based 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. They will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding 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 classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Meramec Township representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less serious.

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 Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Meramec Township, 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 classified 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 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. 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 Meramec Township, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Meramec Township, 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 Meramec Township-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 Meramec Township, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Meramec Township traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

More and more Meramec Township drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Meramec Township traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to all 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, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Meramec Township 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 written a traffic ticket in Meramec Township, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Meramec Township traffic ticket fixed.

In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Meramec Township, 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
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

Hire Your Meramec Township, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right Meramec Township, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Meramec Township defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive 24/7 access to the Meramec Township criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Meramec Township, from a simple moving violation for speeding to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Meramec Township, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.