Criminal Defense Attorney in Clayton, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Clayton, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand the weight of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay a sizable fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years in the Missouri state prison system, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that most citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many instances, you will be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often severely curtails where they can work or live.

The winning Clayton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group have assisted many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Clayton, MO area. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of success is notable among Clayton criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Clayton clients who have worked with Combs Law Group. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Clayton, MO criminal case.

Clayton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is intimidating enough, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra amount of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The overwhelming 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 pull out every trick in the book to coax a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Law Group, our Clayton, 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 Clayton, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Clayton-area residents who were facing all sorts 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 Clayton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Clayton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group defend all cases and criminal charges, including:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Law Group based in Clayton, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, your case and your future are important to us. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your very life on the line, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking 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 your case and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a Clayton, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Criminal defense attorney in Clayton, MO | Missouri criminal defense attorneys near Clayton

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 could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, 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 prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. 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 limination to achieving a productive, fruitful life.

If you are already a felon or suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Clayton, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Clayton, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Clayton, 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 – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. The judge in your case 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 usually considered 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 crimes that are determined to have been carried out based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Clayton representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to get you a less severe.

In some cases with the right circumstances and the skill of an experienced defense attorney, you can have the charges dropped entirely. 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 determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Clayton, 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, 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 Law Group today at (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case and your options with a defense attorney near Clayton, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Clayton, 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 Clayton-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 written a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Clayton traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

A growing number of Clayton drivers are choosing Combs Law Group as their Clayton traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Law Group brings unequaled legal acumen to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our top-notch Clayton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Clayton, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Clayton traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Clayton, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Clayton 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 have anytime access to the Clayton 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 Clayton, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Law Group first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Clayton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group.

Local Criminal Defense Attorney