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New Madrid County, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorney in New Madrid County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in New Madrid County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Just a conviction for a small infraction could force you to pay a sizable fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system, but following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many cases, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.

The winning New Madrid County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many New Madrid County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes good people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the effect criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of success distinguishes us from other New Madrid County 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 New Madrid County 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 New Madrid County, MO criminal case.

New Madrid County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened stage of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to induce a guilty plea, make sure 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 New Madrid County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near New Madrid County, MO is not scared to square off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many New Madrid County-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 New Madrid County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced New Madrid County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in New Madrid County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, 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 will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in New Madrid County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, 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 speak to a New Madrid County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, 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 many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are prohibited 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, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in New Madrid County, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our New Madrid County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in New Madrid County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on 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 – no more than seven years in prison
  • Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. They will weigh factors such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal 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 for some defendants with prior convictions or in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented New Madrid County criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a less serious.

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 you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our New Madrid County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

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. 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 New Madrid County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In New Madrid 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 New Madrid 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 New Madrid County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your New Madrid County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you 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 greatly 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 again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

Many New Madrid County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their New Madrid County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence 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 reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier New Madrid County 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 written a traffic ticket in New Madrid 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 New Madrid County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Hire Your New Madrid County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right New Madrid County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other New Madrid County 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 anytime access to the New Madrid County 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 with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in New Madrid County, from a small moving violation for an improper lane change to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 New Madrid County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.

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