Criminal Defense Attorney Pulaski County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Pulaski County, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay a sizable fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on 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 prisons, but following your reentry into society you will no longer be entitled to additional privileges or rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many situations, you will be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often severely limits where they can work or live.

The winning Pulaski County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Pulaski County, MO area. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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-strings-attached review of your Pulaski County, MO criminal case.

Pulaski County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is stressful in itself, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra caliber of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often brags that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to coax a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Pulaski County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Pulaski 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Pulaski County area and helped them put what is a certainly 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 Pulaski County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Pulaski County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

• 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 Pulaski County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether 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 on the line, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait talking to a Pulaski County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Pulaski County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy 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 get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Pulaski County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are barred from purchasing or possessing 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon 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. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Pulaski County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Pulaski County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Pulaski County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will take into account 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 classified as 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 for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Pulaski County representing you, your original 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.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. 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 decide whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Pulaski County, 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 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced in certain cases. 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 Pulaski County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Pulaski County, 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 Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Pulaski County traffic ticket, you effectively 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Pulaski County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Pulaski County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure 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 influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Pulaski County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Pulaski County, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Pulaski County traffic ticket.

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

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

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

Choosing the right Pulaski County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Pulaski County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will receive 24/7 access to the Pulaski County 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 any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Pulaski County, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Pulaski County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.