Criminal Defense Attorney in Boone County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Boone County, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Even a conviction for a minor infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prisons, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many cases, you could be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually heavily limits where they can live or work.

The winning Boone County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many people rise above criminal convictions in the Boone County, MO area. Our firm recognizes that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Boone County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Boone County 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 Boone County, MO criminal case.

Boone County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra level of legal intelligence and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly brags that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Boone County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Boone County, 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 passionately on our clients’ behalf. We have helped many Boone County-area residents who were looking at all manner of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an unquestionably 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 Boone County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Boone County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Boone County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not wait reaching out 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 dedicate our time and effort toward building your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to get in touch with a Boone County, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A criminal conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, 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 as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, you are not without options. 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 an experienced criminal defense attorney in Boone County, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Boone County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Boone County, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. Based 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 conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. They will take into account factors including the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied if you have 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. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Boone County representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a less serious.

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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte will present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Boone County, 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 categorized 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Boone County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Boone County, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our defense attorneys in the Boone County, MO area can help you through our expert 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 Boone County, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Boone County 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 facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets in general cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Boone County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Boone County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to all its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our premier Boone County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Boone County, 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 fixing your Boone County traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Boone County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Boone County defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will get 24/7 access to the Boone County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Boone County, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding to severe 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 time working with the experienced Boone County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.