Criminal Defense Attorney in Wentzville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Wentzville, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time in county jail, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding certain jobs. In addition, 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 Wentzville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Wentzville-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Wentzville 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 Wentzville 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 Wentzville, MO criminal case.

Wentzville, 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 require an extra level of legal knowledge and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, make sure 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 Wentzville, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Wentzville, MO is not scared to take on 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 protected many Wentzville-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Wentzville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, 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 very life at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not wait speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Wentzville, 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 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Wentzville, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, 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 so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are limited 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 is an obvious obstacle 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 in some cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Wentzville, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Wentzville, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Wentzville, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity. Depending 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment is up to 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, 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Wentzville criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a lesser punishment.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, 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 is not willing 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 Wentzville, 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 based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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 Wentzville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO area 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Wentzville, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Wentzville traffic ticket, you essentially 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 greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be subject to harsher penalties.

An increasing number of Wentzville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Wentzville traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to all 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, once paid, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our top-notch Wentzville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Wentzville, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Wentzville traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Wentzville, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Wentzville defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get round-the-clock access to the Wentzville 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 anything else.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Wentzville, from a simple traffic ticket 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 before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Wentzville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.