Criminal Defense Attorney in Rock Port, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Rock Port, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Even being convicted of a small crime could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on 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 prisons. And even after your release from prison you will no longer be entitled to certain privileges or rights that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The winning Rock Port, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Rock Port, 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 a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Rock Port 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 Rock Port clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Rock Port, MO criminal case.

Rock Port, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is stressful in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra level of legal knowledge and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 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 stop at nothing to get a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Rock Port, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Rock Port, MO is not scared to face 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 protected many Rock Port-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably harrowing experience in their rear-view mirror. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.

A Full-Service Rock Port, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Rock Port, 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 Rock Port, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident that you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. 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 freedom and future in jeopardy, you need someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait speaking 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 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 Rock Port, 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, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious impairment to moving forward in life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. 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 Rock Port, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Rock Port, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Rock Port, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning a crime typically 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 in crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Rock Port criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain 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 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 you are guilty. Contact our Rock Port, 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 into groups 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 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. 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 Rock Port, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Rock Port, 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 Rock Port, 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 given a traffic ticket in Rock Port, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Rock Port traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

More and more Rock Port drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Rock Port traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our premier Rock Port traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Rock Port, 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 Rock Port traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Rock Port, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Rock Port defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will have round-the-clock access to the Rock Port 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 your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Rock Port, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 Rock Port, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.