Criminal Defense Attorney in Washington County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Washington County, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a small infraction could cause you to pay a hefty fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of a number of years in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your reentry into society you will no longer have additional rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many cases, you could be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which usually severely curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Washington County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Washington County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of success distinguishes us from other Washington County criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Washington County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Washington County, MO criminal case.

Washington County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra level of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department often boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to get a guilty plea, make sure 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 Washington County, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Washington County, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Washington County-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Washington County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Washington 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 Washington County, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait talking to a Washington County area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 sound approach to 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Washington County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

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 once you are labeled 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 owning 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 job or rental applications, 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 eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Washington County, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Washington County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Washington County, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on 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 – 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 variety of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. They will weigh information such as the specific circumstances of 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 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 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 a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Washington County representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less serious.

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 Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer 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 Washington County, 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 classified 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. 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 Washington County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Washington 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 Washington County-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent traffic law 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 Washington County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Washington County traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you 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 generally cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be facing stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Washington County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Washington County traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to make sure 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our top-notch Washington County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Washington County, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of getting your Washington County traffic ticket fixed.

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

• Gun Crime Lawyer
• 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

Hire Your Washington County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Selecting the right Washington County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Washington 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 get anytime access to the Washington County 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 any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Washington County, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Washington County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.