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Why Hiring a Public Defender Can Cost You Your Case.

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Introduction

If you or a loved one has recently been charged with a crime that may take you to the courtroom, you are likely scared and anxious to find someone to represent your case. If you are wondering whether to choose a Public Defender or private criminal defense lawyer to defend you, you’re in the right place. 

What representation you choose for your defense is the most important decision you are going to make and can be the difference between you walking away with your freedom or suffering a huge fine or significant jail time. It’s time to choose someone to fight in your corner to ensure that doesn’t happen. 

This article outlines everything you need to know to make your decision. Before we start weighing the pros and cons, let’s take a moment to check we are all on the same page about what Public Defenders in Missouri actually do. 

The Public Defender System in Missouri 

In Missouri, the Missouri State Public Defender (MSPD) provides legal representation to all accused citizens, as per the constitutional requirement. Any citizen accused or convicted of crimes in Missouri at the level of the State Trial Court, Appellate Court, Missouri Supreme Court, or US States Supreme Court has the right to a Public Defender. 

The MSPD “attempts to provide every client with a high-quality, competent, ardent defense team at every stage of the process”. However, since the MSPD expanded statewide in 1989, they have undergone over ten independent evaluations which warned state officials that the MSPD was making constitutional violations. 

These warnings were ignored until the right to counsel became a constitutional crisis in Missouri. The MSPD is notoriously understaffed, overworked, and underfunded. MSPD is one of the least funded public defender systems in the whole of the US. 

Myths and Misconceptions about Public Defenders 

There are many misconceptions about Public Defenders what they do, and what they are able to offer. Here are some truths you need to be aware of:  

  • Public Defenders aren’t free – they will seek repayment for the costs incurred while representing you, in most cases. They won’t require payment upfront, but you will have to pay their fees. 
  • Public Defenders care – when they can. Yes, they get paid either way, but they are often so overloaded with cases that the first time they meet you is in the courtroom. Without that personal connection, it may feel as though they don’t care about the outcome. 
  • Many Public Defenders are good at what they do – given the limited resources they have. They have completed the same qualifications as private attorneys and are likely getting experience until they can move on to private practice. 
  • Public Defenders aren’t out to get you – they don’t have a secret agenda and they aren’t conspiring with the state to make sure you get a terrible sentence. They will do their best for you with what they have. 

How to Qualify for Public Defender Assistance 

If you need Public Defender representation, one isn’t automatically assigned to your case if you don’t find a criminal lawyer of your own (in that case, you will have a court-appointed attorney). To acquire public representation, you need to complete a written application at your local MSPD office serving the county in which your charges are pending. You can find links to the application and a list of offices here.

You should be aware that the Public Defender won’t represent all cases. The cases it absolutely will not handle, are: 

  • Civil cases involving money damages 
  • Landlord-tenant cases 
  • Immigration and deportation cases 
  • Divorces 
  • Child custody cases 
  • Municipal court cases 

Are Public Defenders Overworked in Missouri? 

In short, yes. There are approximately 112,000 cases for the MSPD to handle at any one time and only 370 lawyers. That means each lawyer is juggling around three hundred cases at any one time. 

As you will have read in the first section, the MSPD is one of the least funded public defender offices in the whole of the states. They simply don’t have the funding to acquire the resources necessary to offer their clients a good quality of representation. 

The American Bar Association (those that set the notorious Bar examination for attorneys) has a minimum requirement for how long lawyers should spend on each case to ensure their clients have adequate and ethical representation, but only 3% of cases in Missouri represented by Missouri public defenders meet this requirement for the constitutional requirement. In other words, 97% of clients are getting unlawful representation.

Missouri public defenders rarely get to meet with their clients before the trial, meaning both the client and the public defender walks into the courtroom completely unprepared to defend their case. They don’t have a chance to discuss the circumstances from the client’s point of view, witnesses, evidence, any plea negotiations that could have taken place before the trial, or a strategy for in the room – all things they should have a right to and any private attorney will offer. 

Pros and Cons |Public vs Private Attorneys 

Public vs Private Success Statistics 

In a study by the University of Dayton, it was found that there is no significant relationship between having a Public Defender represent you and the outcome of your trial. However, if you have your counsel appointed for you, you are 14% more likely to be convicted than if you have private counsel, with public defenders falling in between the two. 

Public vs Private Costs 

The pro most people know about public defenders is that they are the cheaper option – but it’s important to remember they are not free. If they accept your application, they will let you know how much their representation will cost and how you can repay them. They will come up with this figure by looking at a chart called the Fee Schedule, which you can see here. The fees are relatively minimal, starting at $125 for misdemeanors and probation violations, and go up to $1,500 for a capital murder case. 

A con of choosing private representation is that, obviously, it’s going to cost you significantly more. However, it’s likely not as expensive as you may imagine to hire a good attorney for a small and straightforward case. The national average for private representation ranges from $2,000 to $4,500, depending on the case and experience of the lawyer. If you are someone who has a number of charges or convictions and you are facing prison time your fees will be higher due to the complexity of the case, but its’ also important to remember what those fees are going to get you. They are likely the difference between your freedom and having your liberty stripped from you. When it comes to criminal representation, you really do get what you pay for. 

Public vs Private Workload 

A major con of choosing a Public Defender over a private attorney of your choosing is their workload. As already, discussed, Public Defenders have a huge number of cases to manage, and they simply don’t have the time to give you the personal attention and reassurances you need. 

Private attorneys work for you. When you choose a private criminal defense lawyer, you have the chance to meet with them before they represent you and ask them as many questions as you need to know whether or not they are the right attorney for you. 

When Does It Make Sense to Use a Public Defender? 

If you are on a very limited budget, it is your first offense, it is a minor crime, and you are certain of the outcome already and don’t wish to fight it, then a Public Defender may be the right option for you. 

When Doesn’t It Make Sense to Use a Public Defender?  

In any other situation from (and including) the one above. If you can find a way to afford a private attorney, it really is the best solution. They will be your advocate throughout your case and will fight for your freedom. If a private lawyer is known to lose a lot of cases, they simply won’t have clients. The success of their business relies on the success of their cases and the happy words of past clients. Many private criminal defense lawyers offer their clients 24/7 access so should something change in their case, they’ll be there to defend you at any time of night or day. 

Don’t Risk It 

If you can find the money to afford a private attorney, you should. It simply isn’t worth the risk of choosing a Public Defender over finding a public criminal defense attorney who you click with and who will be your advocate every step of the way. While all public defenders have the best of intentions, they are overworked human beings. Like all of us, when they are tired their quality of work starts to suffer, and you don’t want that work to be your future. 

Don’t leave whether or not you walk away from your case with your freedom to chance. If you’re looking for a private criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis and surrounding areas, who will prioritize your case and has hundreds of successful cases and happy clients behind them, Combs Law Group may be the perfect fit. 

We offer completely free consultations to talk you through your case and our process, and we get back to most initial inquiries within just two hours, so if you’re feeling anxious and need someone to talk to as soon as possible, take a deep breath and click here to contact us now.

Looking to hire the “best criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis”?

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Introduction

If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime the first thing you do is consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer.  If you can afford it, it’s probably a good decision to hire a criminal defense lawyer. But if you have to go with the public defender option just know that you’re taking a chance and although it seems like the least costly option, it can cost you big time in the long run.  Check out this recent article “Why hiring a public defender is a bad idea (most of the time)” to learn more. However, for those who understand the value of hiring a private attorney, the process of choosing your attorney can be a difficult one. Most people want to hire the “best” criminal lawyer” they can find at a reasonable cost. But what constitutes the “best” when it comes to criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis? Let’s take a look at the factors that come into play when evaluating the best lawyer for your particular legal problem.

Experience, Knowledge, & Creativity

Like most professions, criminal defense lawyers get better over the course of their careers.  A criminal defense lawyer who has just graduated law school is probably not going to be your best choice if you’re facing a murder charge. But at the same time, you probably don’t want to hire a criminal lawyer who is in the last few years of his career.  Ideally, you want a young, energetic, but experienced lawyer. 

Criminal defense law is a mixture of knowing the law and knowing how to apply the law under specific circumstances.  The good St. Louis lawyers have a wealth of knowledge about the law and HOW to apply it, while the best lawyers in St. Louis know all the loopholes in the law and know WHEN to apply them.  The law itself is something that is always up for new interpretations, and the best criminal lawyers in St. Louis can create new interpretations that are beneficial to their cases.  

A good question to ask any criminal defense lawyer during the interview phase is whether they think there are any loopholes within the law that would be relevant in your case.  This could be a process loophole where the police forget to calibrate the breathalyzer in a DWI case, or it could simply be an illegal search and seizure in a drug possession case.  Either way, the best lawyers will find these loopholes and take full advantage of them under the law.

Character, Attitude, & Personality

You have to be a particular type of person to want to practice criminal defense law.  It’s not something that every lawyer who comes of law school is equipped to do. If you have ever watched “Better Call Saul” you might think that all criminal defense lawyers are a little shady, and there is probably some truth to that in some areas of criminal defense law.  However, most if not all criminal defense lawyers are big defenders of “due process” and the right to a fair trial. That’s what makes our judicial system unique and criminal defense lawyers have a critical part to play in our system. The best criminal defense lawyers are the ones that get into criminal defense law for this reason.  They want to defend the defenseless, and although it’s not easy defending someone who committed a terrible crime, under our judicial system, someone has to step up and do it.  

But that’s not all you should look for when evaluating your “best” criminal defense lawyer.  You want to find someone who is confident with themselves but doesn’t have a major ego. This can be tough to find in the criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis.  You want a lawyer who is assertive, and not aggressive. Aggressive lawyers tend to shoot themselves in the foot with their clients, the jury, and with the prosecuting attorney.  An assertive attorney knows what he wants and knows how to communicate that to either the prosecutor or the jury he is trying to sway. The “best” attorneys are usually likable and positive in a natural way, and that can be their most effective tool when defending your case.

Winning Is Important 

Most criminal defense attorneys want to win every case, but that’s just not going to happen.  Over time they will win some and they lose some. After an attorney has been in his profession for a while he can become indifferent about the win or the loss in a case. However, the best attorneys are always wanting to win.  They have that competitive mentality and they don’t necessarily want to win for you, but winning is important overall. The best lawyers have this mentality and they will go the extra mile on your case because they want to win, not because you paid them an extra $10,000 or because they like you.  

When looking for a lawyer, evaluate his or her previous client reviews or testimonials.  The best lawyers have the best reputations. So try to find a lawyer who is still trying to be the “best” or maintain his reputation as the “best” and he will likely go that extra mile to get you the “best” outcomes in your case.

Building Personal Relationships With Clients

The last factor that you should look for when evaluating your “best” criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis is how much personal attention the lawyer gives to you as a client.  Choosing a criminal lawyer is an important decision if you’re facing some serious crimes. You’re putting your future and in some cases your freedom in the hands of another individual.  Invariably, you are trusting your lawyer with a lot, and you want to be able to be completely honest with him or her. This is not like hiring a mechanic to fix your car. You want to be able to create a quasi business-personal relationship with your criminal defense lawyer.  The best lawyers know how to bond with their clients while maintaining their moral and ethical codes. Defending yourself in a criminal case can become an emotional ordeal, so having a lawyer who can be attentive to your emotional needs will be important. The best criminal defense lawyers will help you as you go on the emotional roller coaster during your case.

Conclusion

If you do a Google search for  “Best Criminal Defense Lawyers In St. Louis” you will find all these websites that list the “Top 10 Best Criminal Lawyers In St. Louis” or the “Top 5 Criminal Lawyers In St. Louis”.  Unfortunately, these ranking sites don’t really know if those lawyers are the “best” criminal lawyers for your needs. Only you can decide who is the “best” lawyer for your particular needs.  At Combs Law Group we like to think that we are the “best”, but so does every other St. Louis criminal law firm. What we do know for sure is that if you value character, attitude, and personality, and you want a lawyer who values winning while providing you close personal attention, we are the law firm for you. We urge you to read through our long list of reviews from previous clients to see what makes us stand apart from other law firms in the St. Louis area.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Plea Deals: When and Why They Make Sense to Take

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Introduction:

When we imagine a criminal case, we think about a courtroom appearance and either a jury or judge reading the final verdict, but did you know that more than 90% of state and federal criminal convictions are the result of a guilty plea? 

In any case in which a criminal defense lawyer does not believe it is possible to get the charges dismissed completely, or if getting the charges dismissed is impossible (such as strong evidence against the defendant) a plea deal will likely be discussed. 

This discussion can be opened by either the prosecution or the defense and is a way to reach a resolution to the case faster, as well as giving the defendant a chance to have an element of “control” over the outcome of their criminal case. 

What are the 3 Types of Plea Bargains? 

There are 3 types of plea bargains, but only two are used commonly. These are: 

  • Fact Bargaining: this is the least common type of plea bargain. This is where the defense agrees to specific facts about the case in exchange for the prosecution leaving other facts out at the trial. This plea bargain does not avoid going to trial, so it is still based on guessing how the judge or jury will react to the information presented to them. 
  • Charge Bargaining: this is a common type of plea bargain where the defense agrees to a guilty verdict but by doing so has their charge reduced, and so receives a lesser punishment. 
  • Sentence Bargaining: this is similar to charge bargaining, but instead of having the charge reduced it involves pleading guilty in return for a reduced sentence. 

Why are So Many Cases Plea Bargained? 

The main reason why so many cases are settled via a plea bargain is because it saves time and money on going to trial. A criminal trial can take months, or even years, if the case is complex enough. For all that time there are legal fees to pay, both the accused, the victim(s), and their families have to live in a state of limbo, and that may mean the alleged offender is sitting in a jail cell. 

Besides the reasons why it’s (often) to everyone’s benefit to have a speedy case, another reason to negotiate a plea deal is just that – you can negotiate. This gives both sides an opportunity to control the outcome and come to an agreement both sides are satisfied with. When a case goes to trial everything is unknown, so a plea deal has the benefit of knowing exactly what you’re agreeing to and what the outcome will be. 

Are Plea Bargains Fair? Should Victims Have a Say? 

Whether or not a plea bargain is fair to all involved is down to the individual case. It can be argued that a plea deal that is pressed upon someone who was truly innocent of a crime, or one that reduces charges so significantly that the victims and their hardships due to the crime aren’t respected, then no, they’re not. 

However, more victim advocacy groups are starting to be involved in the plea bargain process, so they may be more “fair” toward victims and their families in the future. For now, there will be cases where the plea bargain is “fair”, and cases where they “aren’t fair”.  

What’s the Downside of a Plea Bargain? 

Some of the downsides to plea bargaining is: 

  • Both sides lose their right to a trial by jury 
  • It will create a criminal record 
  • A judge can void the agreement and impose a different sentence (or no sentence at all) 
  • There is no chance of an appeal 
  • The outcome can be seen as unfair 

Why Would a Prosecutor Offer a Plea Bargain? 

Volume of Cases 

One of the primary reasons why prosecutors offer plea bargains is because both they and the judge have very little time and a lot of cases to try. Judges will often put pressure on prosecutors to move the cases through more quickly, and so prosecutors look to plea bargains as a way to remove cases from the calendar that can reach a solution without going to trial. 

Assures a Conviction 

Perhaps the most common reason why a prosecutor would offer a plea bargain is to assure a conviction. All plea bargains should – in almost all cases – end in a conviction. While that conviction may be a lesser one that may be served if the case went to trial, it is a conviction nonetheless, and there is always the risk of an innocent or not guilty verdict if a conviction is not agreed to in a plea bargain. 

Protect Informants and Victims 

If the arrest was the result of an informant, they will try to reach a plea deal so no informant or witness has to testify at a trial, or reveal that informant’s criminal history at trial. If an informant has a criminal history they may be impeached at the trial, and the prosecution wants to avoid that so that informant can continue to help them stop criminal activity. 

Going to trial can be particularly stressful for victims and witnesses, so a plea deal will allow the prosecution from putting additional stress and pressure on victims. While, in many cases, victims want to see the perpetrator get the maximum punishment for their crime, some prefer to balance a desire to move on with the knowledge that the perpetrator will be found guilty. 

Should I Take a Plea Bargain? 

Whether or not you should take a plea bargain depends on your case and the advice you receive from your defense council. This is why it’s important to have a criminal defense lawyer who will fight for your freedom, and not simply use a defender who has been assigned to you by the state. While public defenders will endeavor to do their best, they are often overworked and have the same interests as the prosecution and judges in wanting to settle cases as fast as possible. 

In order to have a truly unbiased defense, you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer who will advise you and negotiate the very best circumstances for you, not just the circumstances that will get the case off their plate as soon as possible. 

If you’ve recently been charged with a crime in the St. Louis Metro area, we’re here to help. Simply click here to contact us for your free consultation and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your case. 

The Ultimate Guide to Theft Crimes in Missouri

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If you’ve been charged with theft in Missouri, you’re likely feeling a lot of emotions and you’re not sure what to do next. In many cases, a theft charge comes with a sense of shame, defensiveness (because you had no other option), anger at yourself or those who caught you or persuaded you to steal with them. At this stage, it’s vital that you understand exactly what your theft charge means for you, and what next steps you need to take to move forward with your life. 

This guide will take you through everything you need to know about your charge (whether falsely accused or not), answer common questions we hear from the accused, and guide you on your next steps. 

There are a large number of different theft crime charges with a range of possible punishments and future impact on your life. Read on to learn all about what you need to do next to take positive steps forward and fight your charge. 

Contents: 

  • What Constitutes Theft in Missouri? 
  • The Different Types of Theft Crime 
    • Theft
    • Larceny 
    • Burglary 
    • Robbery 
    • Shoplifting 
    • Firearm Theft  
    • Grand Theft Auto 
    • Federal Theft 
    • Check Fraud 
  • What makes a theft crime a misdemeanor or a felony? 
  • What’s the difference between theft, larceny, burglary, and robbery? 
  • Can you be charged for more than one kind of theft? 
  • Is it better to be charged with one type of theft crime over the others?
  • I’ve been falsely accused of theft, what should I do? 
  • Why it’s Important to Fight a Theft Conviction 
  • Hire the Best Missouri Criminal Defense Attorney

What Constitutes Theft in Missouri? 

Missouri defines theft as taking the property or service of another without the owner’s consent, with the intent to deprive the owner, or by deceit or coercion. Essentially, if you take something you don’t own or refuse to pay for services rendered, you are committing theft. 

The Different Types of Theft Crime 

There is a range of different theft crimes which vary in severity depending on the circumstances of the theft. Some of these crimes are classed as misdemeanors (less serious crimes) and others are felonies (serious crimes). 

Theft

Theft is the umbrella term for any form of stealing property or services from another person, as outlined above, and encompasses any situation that does not fit into the categories below.

Larceny 

Larceny simply defines when someone steals the personal property of another. 

Burglary 

Burglary in Missouri is defined as a person entering a building with the intent to steal. Most burglary crimes are class C felonies, but if the offender is armed, threatens or causes injury, or if there is an innocent person within the structure, it is a class B felony. 

Robbery 

Robbery is when the offender forcibly steals from another person and is a class B felony. However, if they threaten the other person with something that is, or appears to be, a weapon, or actually causes injury, it a class A felony. 

Bank robbery comes with much harsher punishments than a ‘normal’ robbery because it is federally owned and therefore you are stealing from the government. Federal crimes are more serious than the same crime against a citizen, and any threat against the bank workers with the intent to steal from it will constitute bank robbery. 

All bank robbery charges will be a class A felony, and therefore you may face up to 30 years in prison, and worse if there are additional charges held against you. If you knowingly accept anything stolen from a bank you will be fined and can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. 

Shoplifting 

Shoplifting occurs when the offender steals something from a place of business. Most occurrences of shoplifting will be a class A misdemeanor as the value of the stolen property will likely be $500 or below. 

Anyone who steals merchandise (anything for sale) from a Missouri store is, in addition to any misdemeanor or felony charges, responsible for the full retail value of anything taken, any incidental costs of up to $100, a penalty to the owner of $100-$250, and any and all court costs and attorney fees incurred by the owner. If the person is a minor, their parental guardian is then responsible. 

Firearm Theft 

Theft of a firearm in Missouri is automatically a class C felony, due to the associated dangers and implications of a stolen firearm. A class C felony automatically lands you with at least 12 months imprisonment. 

Grand Theft Auto (Vehicle Tampering) 

Auto theft is defined as taking a vehicle owned by another, without the owner’s consent, by means of deceit or coercion. Motor vehicle theft can be more complicated than other forms of theft because there are four ‘elements’ that must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt (or admitted to) before the offender can be convicted. 

The first element of auto theft is ‘appropriation of a motor vehicle’, which means the prosecution must prove that the offender took possession of the vehicle without the owner’s consent. 

The second element is that it must be proved that the vehicle was not legally owned by the offender when they took the vehicle. 

The third element is that it must be proved that the offender had ‘intent to deprive the owner of the vehicle’, and had no intention of returning the vehicle. 

The fourth element is that the offender must have taken the car without the permission of the owner, and without coercing or deceiving them to do so. If the offender coerced or deceived the owner, the prosecution must show how this was the case. 

Stealing a car in Missouri is automatically a class C felony, regardless of the value of the vehicle, which is punishable by a minimum of 12 months in prison. 

Federal Theft 

Federal theft is when you are deemed to have stolen something from the government. Most federal theft applies to those working for the government and maybe a charge like failing to deposit money to the treasurer, misuse of public funds, theft of vehicles transporting commerce between states, and theft of government property. 

Check Fraud 

Check fraud is when you give or cash a check you forged, or that is on a bank account you know has insufficient funds (and will therefore bounce). Check fraud, for a value of $500 or less, is a class A misdemeanor, and if over $500 it can be as severe as a class C felony. 

What makes a theft crime a misdemeanor or a felony? 

Some crimes are a felony regardless of any other circumstances, due to the severity of the crime (such as stealing a firearm), while others only warrant a misdemeanor. In general, the charges are as follows: 

  • Class A Misdemeanor: a class A misdemeanor theft is when the value of the property or services stolen is less than $500. Being given stolen property worth less than $500 is also a class A misdemeanor. Any theft crime that does not fit into any other category will also warrant a class A misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for a class A misdemeanor is one-year imprisonment and a fine of $1,000.
  • Class D Felony: it is a class D felony when someone steals an animal, or, if the offender has had two or more theft-related convictions within the last 10 years. The maximum punishment for a class D felony is a four-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $5,000, or an amount of up to twice the value of what the offender gained from the theft, up to $20,000.
  • Class C Felony: Theft is a class C felony if the value of the property or service is more than $500, but less than $25,000, if the item was stolen from the owner’s person, or if it is a vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, firearm (regardless of worth), explosive, credit card, US flag, legal or historical documents, livestock or wildlife, will, property deed, controlled substance, chemicals that can be used to make illegal substances. It is also a class C felony to receive stolen explosives, receive something stolen if they are a dealer of the stolen good or substance involved, or worth more than $500. The maximum penalty for a class C felony is a prison term of 7 years (and no less than 12 months), a fine of $5,000, or double the value of the stolen property up to $20,000 if it was sold on.
  • Class B Felony: Theft is a class B felony if the stolen property or service is worth $25,000 or more. The maximum punishment for a class B felony is a prison term of 15 years (and no less than 5 years).
  • Class A Felony: Theft can only become a class A felony if the offender harms or threatens another person. The maximum punishment for a class A felony is a 30-year prison sentence (and no less than 10 years), and there are usually no fines included. 

What’s the difference between theft, larceny, burglary, and robbery? 

Theft is the umbrella term that covers any form of stealing from anyone or any entity. Larceny is the term used to describe the theft of personal property (e.g. not commercial or federal property). Burglary is theft from a residence or structure, and robbery is any theft where there is an innocent person who is threatened or harmed in the process. 

Can you be charged with more than one kind of theft? 

Yes, for example, if you rob a bank and then steal a car for your getaway, you will be charged for both occurrences.  It’s not uncommon to see both state and federal theft charges filed in the same crime. If you are facing multiple types of charges then it’s even more critical you get legal representation.

Is it better to be charged with one type of theft crime over the others? 

Yes, for example, a robbery charge will nearly always be more severe than a larceny charge, so where possible your criminal defense lawyer will work to get your charge reduced so you can avoid harsher punishments. 

I’ve been falsely accused of theft, what should I do? 

If you have been falsely accused of theft it’s vital you get an experienced criminal lawyer who knows theft and robbery charges on your side as soon as possible. If you’ve been accused or charged with theft wrongly, you need a lawyer who knows the law and can put together the best strategy to prove your innocence. Unfortunately, the wrongly accused are sometimes convicted of the crimes they didn’t commit, so don’t leave it to fate. 

Why It’s Important to Fight a Theft Conviction 

If a theft charge is minor, you may think that it would be easier to take the conviction in stride, pay the fine, and move on with your life, but it’s important to think about the long-term implications of a theft conviction. 

Of course, theft very quickly becomes a felony charge here in Missouri, and a felony is a very serious matter. Of course, even a theft misdemeanor on your record may make you an unattractive prospect to potential employers who will feel unable to trust you, and future landlords will feel the same, leaving you jobless, potentially homeless, and in worst-case scenarios, unable to feed yourself and your family. 

You may think that a simple theft charge cannot ruin your life, but we’ve seen it happen and we fight to protect our clients’ liberty every day. Take your charge seriously and do everything within your power to fight the charges; get an experienced St. Louis criminal defense attorney on your case as soon as possible. 

Hire the Best Missouri Criminal Defense Attorney 

No matter your individual circumstances, if you’ve been accused of theft, you need to get a great criminal defense attorney on your side as soon as possible. The legal system can be confusing and intimidating, and as we covered in the section above, a conviction (wrongful or otherwise) can completely derail your life. 

An experienced criminal defense lawyer will fight for your freedom and may be able to get the charges dismissed or reduce your charge so it has a minimal impact on your life. Chris Combs has extensive experience defending theft charges and likely has defended a case just like yours in the past. 

All our clients have access to their lawyer 24/7, we offer completely free consultations, and we get back to most inquiries within 2 hours – so you don’t need to worry for days about what’s going to happen next. Contact us today to get one of the best St. Louis criminal defense lawyers on your case. 

Looking to Hire a Drug Possession St. Louis Lawyer?

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If you’ve been caught for drug possession in Missouri, it’s important you take action right away. Missouri has some of the most severe drug possession penalties in the whole of the US, but punishments can also vary drastically from courtroom to courtroom. For this reason alone, you need a drug possession attorney who has established relationships in the area you are being charged and will know the history of cases like yours with those prosecutors and judges. 

Drug possession charges are some of the most common we deal with here at Combs Law Group, so we are familiar with the common questions and queries people have when facing a drug possession charge. 

Here’s what you need to know to defend and protect yourself. 

What constitutes drug possession in Missouri?

As you may be aware, the definition of “drug possession” in Missouri doesn’t simply cover being caught with illegal substances on your persons, but in any other scenario where you can be considered to be in possession of an illegal substance. 

For example, if you and a friend are transporting cocaine in your vehicle (or if a friend leaves an illegal substance in your vehicle) when you are pulled over for a traffic offense and the attending officers have reason to search your vehicle and find it, you are still considered “in possession” of that substance. 

Are drug possession laws the same all over the US? 

Yes and no. The DEA determines how “serious” an illegal substance is throughout the US. The Controlled Substances Act outlines 5 Schedules (essentially levels of seriousness), with Schedule 1 being the most serious or harmful, such as heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and decreasing in the likelihood of dependency to Schedule 5. These schedules define the severity of the punishment. 

However, Missouri decides what punishment will be given for possession of each type of drug. With the exception of marijuana, most drug possession charges are felonies. Felony charges come with serious legal ramifications, fines, prison time, and sends shockwaves through other areas of your life, so it’s vital you find a drug possession lawyer as soon as possible. 

If you’re facing federal drug charges, like federal drug trafficking or distribution, then it’s even more important you find a good St. Louis drug possession attorney who knows federal drug laws. Federal drug laws typically have more severe penalties, so if the federal government is trying to put you behind bars you need to get a St. Louis criminal lawyer right away.

Are the punishments for marijuana possession different? 

In most cases, yes. In Missouri, most drug possession cases will result in a felony charge, but the laws surrounding marijuana have softened and if you possess 35 grams or less, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. If you would like to learn more about marijuana laws in Missouri, you can read our guide here.

Is there any way to avoid jail time? 

Your ability to avoid jail time for your drug possession charge will depend on the severity of your charge, the circumstances in which you were charged, the skill of your attorney, and primarily, whether or not you are willing to get help for your addiction. Prosecutors and judges may choose to be sympathetic if you are willing to get help for your addiction and if the quantity you had in your possession was minimal. To find out more about these programs you can read our guide on drug possession laws in Missouri.

What should I look for in a drug possession lawyer?  

When you look for a drug possession lawyer you should ensure they: 

  • Have experience in the location you were charged 
  • Have experience with cases like yours 
  • Will aggressively defend you and the life you’ve built 
  • Offers a free consultation
  • Won’t make you feel like a number on a list 
  • Make you feel reassured and at ease 
  • Has numerous testimonials and good reviews 

Chris Combs is one of the top St. Louis drug possession lawyers and has experience with a wide range of drug possession charges. If you want to find out more about what we can do for you click here or contact us directly today and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible – most inquiries receive a reply in less than two hours, so it will be no time at all until you can relax knowing you have the best on your case. 

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We proudly represent clients throughout the St. Louis Metro area including the following municipalities and counties: Affton, Florissant, Chesterfield, University City, Oakville, Wildwood, Ballwin, Mehlville, Kirkwood, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, Webster Groves, Ferguson, Spanish Lake, Manchester, Lemay, Overlan, Concord, Creve Coeur, Clayton, Bridgton, Jennings, St. Ann, Crestwood, Bellenfontaine, Town and Country, Berkley, Richmond Heights, Maplewood, Ellisville, Ladue, Des Peres, Sunset Hills, Brentwood, Eureka, Olivette, Sappington, St. John, Black Jac, Shrewsbury, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, Lincoln County, and Warren County, Ste. Genevieve County

Disclaimer

The information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice. No formation of the attorney-client privilege is created by the use of this site. The choice of an attorney is an important one and should not be based solely on advertisements.