Criminal Defense Attorney in Montgomery County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Montgomery County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even being convicted of a minor infraction could force you to pay a hefty fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many situations, you will be forced to share your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually drastically limits where they can work or live.

The experienced Montgomery County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Montgomery County, MO area. Our firm recognizes that sometimes good people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of success is notable among Montgomery County 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 Montgomery County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Montgomery County, MO criminal case.

Montgomery County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened caliber of legal intelligence and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often boasts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to get a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Montgomery County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Montgomery County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Montgomery County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably 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 Montgomery County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Montgomery County, 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 Montgomery County, 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-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a Montgomery County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Montgomery County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can get to work 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 talk to a Montgomery County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 obstacle to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you are already a felon 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 request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Montgomery County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Montgomery County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Montgomery County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories 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 – no more than seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is up to the judge. They will weigh information 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, so 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 in 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Montgomery County representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 your case for your innocence is sound 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 to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Montgomery County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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

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 Montgomery County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Montgomery 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 defense attorneys in the Montgomery County, MO area 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Montgomery County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Montgomery County 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 dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

A growing number of Montgomery County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Montgomery County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our premier Montgomery County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent 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 Montgomery County, 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 Montgomery County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Montgomery County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Montgomery County 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 have 24/7 access to the Montgomery County criminal defense lawyer 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 anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Montgomery County, from a simple traffic ticket for an improper lane change to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call 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 experiences working with the skilled Montgomery County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.