Criminal Defense Attorney in Affton, MO
Criminal Defense Attorney in Affton, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you know the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a hefty fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release you will no longer be entitled to certain privileges or rights that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many situations, you could be forced to share your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which often heavily limits where they can live or work.
The experienced Affton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Affton, MO area. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Affton criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Affton clients who have worked with Combs Law Group. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Affton, MO criminal case.
Affton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is stressful enough, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra stage of legal acumen and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly boasts 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 a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal to coax a guilty plea, ensure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and have a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.
At Combs Law Group, our Affton, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Affton, MO is not afraid to square off against any opponent — whether they are local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many Affton-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably scary 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 Affton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The experienced Affton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group defend all cases and criminal charges, including:
- Motor Vehicle Tampering
- Assault and Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Theft/Larceny
- Probation Violations
- Drug Charges and Possession
The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Law Group based in Affton, Missouri possess decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get thoughtful, personalized counsel. 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 freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not put off reaching out to a Affton area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Affton, 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 Affton, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.
Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law
A conviction for even a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, 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 limited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. 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 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 for certain cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Affton, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Affton, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Affton, Missouri
Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect 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 – a maximum of 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 are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to is determined by the judge. They will take into account factors including 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, meaning a crime typically 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 due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Affton representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less severe.
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 Combs Law 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 Combs Law Group to discuss your case and potential options with our Affton, MO criminal defense attorneys.
Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri
As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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 based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. 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 Law Group today at (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case and your options with a defense attorney near Affton, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Affton, MO
Did you know Combs Law Group 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 Affton, 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.
Getting a traffic ticket in Affton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Affton traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing increased penalties.
An increasing number of Affton drivers are choosing Combs Law Group as their Affton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Law Group brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Affton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Affton, 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 Affton traffic ticket fixed.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Affton, MO area attorneys of Combs Law Group 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.
Hire Your Affton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Law Group
Choosing the right Affton, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Affton defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Law Group, you can be confident that you will have 24/7 access to the Affton criminal defense lawyer that is 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 are looking at criminal charges in Affton, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Law Group first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Affton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group.