Criminal Defense Attorney in Bonne Terre, MO
Criminal Defense Attorney in Bonne Terre, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay a large fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you subject to multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release from prison you will no longer be entitled to certain privileges or rights that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely limits where they can work or live.
The winning Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group have helped many Bonne Terre-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our record of success is notable among Bonne Terre criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — just ask the satisfied Bonne Terre clients who have contacted Combs Law Group. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Bonne Terre, MO criminal case.
Bonne Terre, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened amount of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in 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 induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.
At Combs Law Group, our Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Bonne Terre, MO is not scared to face off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many Bonne Terre-area residents who were facing all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly 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 Bonne Terre, MO Criminal Defense Attorney
The skilled Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group 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 Law Group based in Bonne Terre, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Whether 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 very life on the line, you need a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work building a defense strategy 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 Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorney 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 may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you are barred from purchasing or possessing 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious obstacle to living a successful, lawful life.
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 in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bonne Terre, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Bonne Terre, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.
Felony Charges and Punishments in Bonne Terre, Missouri
Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. 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 – no more than four years in prison
Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. They will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your criminal history and other details.
However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so a crime typically 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Bonne Terre criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge 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 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 criminal defense lawyer with Combs Law Group 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 Combs Law Group to discuss your case and potential options with our Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys.
Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri
Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified based on severity. Rather than time in state prison and possible parole supervision, 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
The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Law Group today at (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case and your options with a defense attorney near Bonne Terre, MO now.
Fixing Traffic Tickets In Bonne Terre, MO
Did you know Combs Law Group 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 Bonne Terre, MO area can help you through our expert 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 Bonne Terre, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Bonne Terre traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually 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 period you could be facing stiffer penalties.
An increasing number of Bonne Terre drivers are choosing Combs Law Group as their Bonne Terre traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Law Group brings unmatched legal acumen to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch Bonne Terre traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Bonne Terre, 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 fixing your Bonne Terre traffic ticket.
In addition to criminal defense law for Missouri state felonies and misdemeanors, federal crimes and traffic tickets, the leading Bonne Terre, 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 Bonne Terre, MO Criminal Defense Attorney Now | Combs Law Group
Choosing the right Bonne Terre, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time incarcerated. Unlike other Bonne Terre defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Law Group, you can rest assured that you will receive 24/7 access to the Bonne Terre criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or any other topic.
When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Bonne Terre, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, make Combs Law Group your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Bonne Terre, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group.