Criminal Defense Attorney in Sedalia, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Sedalia, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you understand the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a minor crime could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your release you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many situations, you could be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often drastically limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Sedalia, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Sedalia-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm knows that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the damage criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Sedalia criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Sedalia clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Sedalia, MO criminal case.

Sedalia, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra caliber of legal acumen and focus. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions result in 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 carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Sedalia, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Sedalia, 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 assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Sedalia 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 Sedalia, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Sedalia, 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 Sedalia, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your very life in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off reaching out 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 get to work building a sound approach to your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a criminal defense attorney in Sedalia, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, 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 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 required 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 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Sedalia, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Sedalia, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Sedalia, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. 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 weigh information including the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is usually considered 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Sedalia criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser 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 but the prosecutor refuses 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact our Sedalia, 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 grouped into categories based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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 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. 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 Sedalia, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Sedalia, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our defense attorneys in the Sedalia, 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 Sedalia, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Sedalia 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

Many Sedalia drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Sedalia traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Sedalia traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been given a traffic ticket in Sedalia, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Sedalia traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Sedalia, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Sedalia defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive round-the-clock access to the Sedalia criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Sedalia, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Sedalia, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.