Criminal Defense Attorney in Ballwin, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ballwin, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you understand the weight of the charges that you are facing. Even a conviction for a minor infraction could cause you to pay a sizable fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release from prison 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 instances, you will be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rent applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Ballwin, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal allegations in the Ballwin, MO area. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Ballwin criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Ballwin clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Ballwin, MO criminal case.

Ballwin, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra stage of legal acumen and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 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 pull out all the stops to coax 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 Ballwin, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ballwin, MO is not scared to square off against 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 who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Ballwin area and helped them 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 Ballwin, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The experienced Ballwin, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Ballwin, 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-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 will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Ballwin area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Ballwin, MO or anywhere in Missouri. 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 get in touch with a Ballwin, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. 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 impairment to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you are already a felon 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 seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Ballwin, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Ballwin, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Ballwin, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on 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

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. They will take into account information such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen for some defendants with prior convictions or for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with the representation and dedication of a talented Ballwin criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less serious.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. If your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing 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 Ballwin, 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 grouped into categories based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Ballwin, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ballwin, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have not been accused of committing a criminal act, our Ballwin-based defense attorneys 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 written a traffic ticket in Ballwin, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Ballwin traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity 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 expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Ballwin drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ballwin traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure 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 an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Ballwin traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Ballwin, MO and do not want it to hamper your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of getting your Ballwin traffic ticket fixed.

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

Hire Your Ballwin, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Waterkotte

Finding the right Ballwin, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Ballwin 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 round-the-clock access to the Ballwin 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 are facing criminal charges in Ballwin, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Ballwin, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.