Criminal Defense Attorney in Eureka, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Eureka, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just a conviction for a small crime could force you to pay a sizable fine, serve time in county jail, 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 in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release from prison you will be further punished via loss of additional rights or privileges that many citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running in an election, or holding certain jobs. In addition, in many instances, you could be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on rent or employment applications, which usually drastically curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Eureka, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people rise above criminal allegations in the Eureka, MO area. Our firm understands that people with good intetions can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Eureka criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Eureka clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Eureka, MO criminal case.

Eureka, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they demand a heightened level of legal knowledge and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Eureka, 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 Eureka, MO is not scared to take on 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 protected many Eureka-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is an undoubtably 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 Eureka, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Eureka, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident 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 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 wait reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Eureka, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a sound approach to your case and allowing you to breathe you to breathe a little easier as we tackle the looming uncertainty of an impending criminal court proceeding. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to get in touch with a Eureka, MO criminal defense attorney 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, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited 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 often severely limits where you can work or live.

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 a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Eureka, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Eureka, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Eureka, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes that reflect the severity. 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 – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is determined by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors including 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, meaning a crime usually considered a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. The enhancement is applied for some defendants with prior convictions or for crimes that are determined to have been carried out due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Eureka representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony charge 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 Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer will take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Eureka, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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 Eureka, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Eureka, 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 Eureka-based defense attorneys 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 Eureka, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a financial penalty. If you elect to pay your Eureka traffic ticket, you essentially 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at harsher penalties.

More and more Eureka drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Eureka traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all 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, after you’ve paid them, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Eureka traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Eureka, 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 Eureka traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Eureka, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Eureka 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 receive round-the-clock access to the Eureka criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Eureka, from a simple moving violation for failing to properly signal to serious felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule 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 experienced Eureka, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.