Criminal Defense Attorney in Brentwood, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Brentwood, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Just being convicted of a small misdemeanor could force you to pay a sizable fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you at risk of multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of certain privileges or rights that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. In addition, in many situations, you could be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often severely limits where they can work or live.

The winning Brentwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Brentwood-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm understands that sometimes decent people can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Brentwood criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Brentwood 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 Brentwood, MO criminal case.

Brentwood, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened amount of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to get a guilty plea, ensure 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 Brentwood, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Brentwood, MO is not afraid to face 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 stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Brentwood area and helped them put what is an undoubtably troubling experience in their rear-view mirror. Read more about our expertise in federal criminal cases and what makes federal criminal cases different from state and municipal cases.

A Full-Service Brentwood, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Brentwood, Missouri have years 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 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 freedom and future hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not put off talking to a Brentwood area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a criminal defense attorney in Brentwood, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that so many of us 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Brentwood, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Brentwood, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Brentwood, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes 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

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. They will take into account 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, meaning what is typically considered 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Brentwood representing you, your original Class B felony could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less severe.

You may also be able to avoid a criminal conviction altogether, if you have the right circumstances and a diligent and skillful criminal defense attorney. If you have a strong case 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 to find you guilty. Contact our Brentwood, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like 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. 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 Brentwood, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Brentwood, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte 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 Brentwood, 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 given a traffic ticket in Brentwood, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Brentwood traffic ticket, you essentially 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally 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 facing harsher penalties.

More and more Brentwood drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Brentwood traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure 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 police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our exceptional Brentwood traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional 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 written a traffic ticket in Brentwood, 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 Brentwood traffic ticket fixed.

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

Selecting the right Brentwood, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Brentwood defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will get 24/7 access to the Brentwood criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Brentwood, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Brentwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.