Criminal Defense Attorney in Republic, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Republic, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could force you to pay a sizable fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but after your reentry into society you will no longer enjoy additional privileges or rights that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many situations, you could be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely limits where they can live or work.

The winning Republic, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Republic, MO area. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning cases distinguishes us from other Republic 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 Republic 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 Republic, MO criminal case.

Republic, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require an extra amount of legal knowledge and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these 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 induce a guilty plea, ensure 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 Republic, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Republic, MO is not afraid 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 who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Republic area and helped them 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 Republic, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Republic, 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 Republic, 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 criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. Whether 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 very life on the line, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building 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 talk to a Republic, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us 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 suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Republic, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Republic, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Republic, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
• Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to will be determined by the judge. They will weigh factors 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 usually 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 for 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 Republic representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a lesser punishment.

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 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Republic, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

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, 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. 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 Republic, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Republic, 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 Republic-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 given a traffic ticket in Republic, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Republic traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

More and more Republic drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Republic traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure 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 affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Republic traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Republic, 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 Republic traffic ticket fixed.

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

• 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 Republic, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Republic, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Republic defense attorneys, our firm places complete 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 Republic criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Republic, from a small moving violation for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up 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 experiences working with the driven Republic, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.