Criminal Defense Attorney in Ellisville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ellisville, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years under probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but following your release you will no longer enjoy certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many cases, you will be required to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually heavily limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Ellisville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal convictions in the Ellisville, MO area. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can have a stroke of misfortune, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences a criminal conviction has on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Ellisville 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 Ellisville clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Ellisville, MO criminal case.

Ellisville, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand an extra stage of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice regularly 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 an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to get 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 Waterkotte, our Ellisville, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ellisville, MO is not afraid 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 protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Ellisville area and helped them put what is an undoubtably scary 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 Ellisville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Ellisville, 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-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You will always be able to reach and speak with the leading criminal defense attorney assigned to your case.

With your very life hanging in the balance, you need someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not wait speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Ellisville, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 criminal defense attorney in Ellisville, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You could lose years of your life serving time encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 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 eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Ellisville, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Ellisville, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Ellisville, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity. 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 outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be up to the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including 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 what is usually 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 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 Ellisville representing you, your original Class B felony 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 serious.

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 take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Ellisville, MO criminal defense attorneys.

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

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. 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 Ellisville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ellisville, MO

Did you know Combs Waterkotte 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 Ellisville, 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 Ellisville, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Ellisville traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the type of your offense, you could be staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be facing harsher penalties.

More and more Ellisville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ellisville traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Ellisville 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 given a traffic ticket in Ellisville, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Ellisville traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Ellisville, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Ellisville defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will get 24/7 access to the Ellisville criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can talk to us about your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Ellisville, from a simple moving violation for an improper lane change to severe felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. 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 Ellisville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.