Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Louis, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Louis, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you know that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even a conviction for a minor infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your release you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that many citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually drastically limits where they can live or work.

The experienced St. Louis, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many St. Louis-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases is notable among St. Louis criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied St. Louis clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your St. Louis, MO criminal case.

St. Louis, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened amount of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of about 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 pull out all the stops to get a guilty plea, ensure 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 St. Louis, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near St. Louis, MO is not afraid to take on 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 helped many St. Louis-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly scary 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 St. Louis, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing 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 in jeopardy, you need someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out to a St. Louis area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in St. Louis, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, 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 once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not lose hope. 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 a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in St. Louis, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our St. Louis, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in St. Louis, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories 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

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will weigh factors including 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, so a crime usually considered 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 based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented St. Louis criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue 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 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 St. Louis, 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 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can 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 St. Louis, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In St. Louis, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte also handles traffic tickets and other aspects of traffic law? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our defense attorneys in the St. Louis, 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 given a traffic ticket in St. Louis, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your St. Louis traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity 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 usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

An increasing number of St. Louis drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their St. Louis traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced 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 police error. Best of all, our top-notch St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your St. Louis traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• 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 St. Louis, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Choosing the right St. Louis, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other St. Louis defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive anytime access to the St. Louis 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 any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in St. Louis, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced St. Louis, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.