Criminal Defense Attorney Ralls County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ralls County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Even a conviction for a small infraction could cause you to pay a large fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you could be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which often severely curtails where they can work or live.

The skilled Ralls County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Ralls County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Ralls County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Ralls County clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Ralls County, MO criminal case.

Ralls County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is intimidating enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require an extra caliber of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming 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 pull out every trick in the book to induce 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 Ralls County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ralls 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 fought for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Ralls County area and helped them put what is an undoubtably troubling 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 Ralls County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Ralls 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 Ralls County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your very life 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 wait talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a criminal defense attorney in Ralls County, MO 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 could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from purchasing or possessing 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 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 suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, all hope is not lost. 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 a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Ralls County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Ralls County, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Ralls County, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. Depending 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

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors including 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 a crime usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have prior convictions or for crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on 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 Ralls County representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able 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 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 determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Ralls County, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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 Ralls County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ralls County, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Ralls 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.

Being written a traffic ticket in Ralls County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Ralls County traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically 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 once again during this period you could be facing stiffer penalties.

More and more Ralls County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ralls County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Ralls County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Ralls 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 begin the process of getting your Ralls County traffic ticket fixed.

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

Finding the right Ralls County, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Ralls 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 have round-the-clock access to the Ralls County criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Ralls County, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal 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 invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Ralls County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.