Columbia, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Columbia, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Columbia, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you understand the gravity of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a minor misdemeanor could cause you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but after your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many cases, you will be mandated to disclose your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Columbia, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group have helped many Columbia-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that sometimes decent people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of success distinguishes us from other Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia, MO criminal case.

Columbia, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened level of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win at all costs: the U.S. Justice Department regularly advertises that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to induce a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Law Group, our Columbia, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Columbia, MO is not afraid to take on any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Columbia 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 Columbia, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Columbia, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Law Group based in Columbia, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. 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 freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy and lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to talk to a Columbia, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

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

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us 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 required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rental applications, which is an obvious obstacle to moving forward in life.

If you have already received a felony conviction or believe you are likely to be convicted, all hope is not lost. 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. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Columbia, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Columbia, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Columbia, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes 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 – a maximum of 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 exact punishment you are sentenced to will be 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.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so 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 Columbia representing you, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able to obtain a lesser punishment.

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 Law criminal defense lawyer 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 Columbia, 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 into groups 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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also be enhanced based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. However, in misdemeanor cases your defense attorney can often help you avoid serving jail time in favor of 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 Columbia, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Columbia, MO

Did you know that Combs Law Group 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 Columbia-based defense attorneys 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Columbia, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Columbia traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges you were accused of and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets generally 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 period you could be facing increased penalties.

More and more Columbia drivers are choosing Combs Law Group as their Columbia traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Law Group brings unparalleled legal knowledge to all its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down 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 top-notch Columbia traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Columbia, 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 Columbia traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Columbia, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Columbia defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Law Group, you can rest assured that you will get 24/7 access to the Columbia 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 Columbia, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to serious felonies, call Combs Law Group first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Columbia, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Law Group.

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