Criminal Defense Attorney in Portage Des Sioux, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Portage Des Sioux, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could force you to pay a large fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release you will no longer have additional privileges or rights that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many situations, you will be required to share your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually severely limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Portage Des Sioux, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people overcome criminal convictions in the Portage Des Sioux, MO area. Our firm knows that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of success is notable among Portage Des Sioux criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Portage Des Sioux 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO criminal case.

Portage Des Sioux, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra stage of legal knowledge and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are 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 coax a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Portage Des Sioux, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Portage Des Sioux, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Portage Des Sioux-area residents who were facing all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Portage Des Sioux, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

• 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 Portage Des Sioux, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off talking to a Portage Des Sioux 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 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or 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 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 limited 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 is an obvious obstacle to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Portage Des Sioux, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Portage Des Sioux, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Portage Des Sioux, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. Based on the class of your felony conviction, 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 outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh 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, so 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 for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Portage Des Sioux criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you 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 you have a strong case demonstrating your innocence 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 Portage Des Sioux, 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, 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

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 Portage Des Sioux, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Portage Des Sioux, 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 defense attorneys in the Portage Des Sioux, MO area 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Portage Des Sioux traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type 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 usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Portage Des Sioux drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Portage Des Sioux traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Portage Des Sioux 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 given a traffic ticket in Portage Des Sioux, 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 Portage Des Sioux traffic ticket fixed.

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

Hire Your Portage Des Sioux, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Portage Des Sioux, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Portage Des Sioux defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive anytime access to the Portage Des Sioux criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Portage Des Sioux, 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 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 experienced Portage Des Sioux, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.