Criminal Defense Attorney in Fenton, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Fenton, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you know the grave nature of the charges that you are facing. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could force you to pay a large fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several 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 prisons, but after your reentry into society you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many situations, you could be required to share your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely limits where they can live or work.

The skilled Fenton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women overcome criminal convictions in the Fenton, MO area. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of winning cases is notable among Fenton criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Fenton clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Fenton, MO criminal case.

Fenton, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is intimidating in itself, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened level of legal intelligence and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are 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 federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Fenton, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Fenton, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have protected many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Fenton 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 Fenton, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Fenton, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that 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 very life hanging in the balance, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate reaching out 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 criminal defense attorney in Fenton, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A criminal conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. When the crime is a felony, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled 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 purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which is an obvious impairment to living a successful, lawful life.

If you are already a felon 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 able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Fenton, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Fenton, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Fenton, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are categorized into five classes based on the severity of the crime. Based on what class felony you are convicted of, 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 factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact punishment you are sentenced to 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.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning a crime typically 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 in certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with the representation and dedication of a talented Fenton criminal defense attorney, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lower felony, a felony charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less serious.

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 refuses 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 our Fenton, 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 into groups 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, 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 Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case and your options with a defense attorney near Fenton, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Fenton, 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 Fenton-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 written a traffic ticket in Fenton, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Fenton traffic ticket, you essentially 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets generally cannot be expunged from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over another time during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

More and more Fenton drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Fenton traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal acumen to all its cases, even small 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 influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Fenton traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to quality legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Fenton, 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 Fenton traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Fenton, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. Unlike other Fenton defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be sure that you will receive 24/7 access to the Fenton criminal defense lawyer working on your case. No matter where you are, what time it is, or your present circumstances, you can discuss with us your case, the legal process, or anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Fenton, from a simple traffic ticket for speeding 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 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 Fenton, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.