Criminal Defense Attorney in Festus, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Festus, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a minor crime could cause you to pay a hefty fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but after your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of certain rights or privileges that a large number of people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many cases, you will be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which often severely limits where they can work or live.

The winning Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Festus-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the damage a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of success is notable among Festus criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of all that we do — just ask the satisfied Festus clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Festus, MO criminal case.

Festus, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require an extra caliber of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win at all costs: the U.S. Department of Justice often boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. The vast majority of those convictions are 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 induce a guilty plea, guarantee that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning favorable results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Festus, 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 fiercely on our clients’ behalf. We have assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Festus area and helped them put what is a certainly harrowing 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 Festus, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Festus, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive thoughtful, personalized counsel. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You have one dedicated attorney on your case and you can reach our lawyers and paralegals any time.

With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not wait speaking to a Festus area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your criminal charges at any level in the Missouri area. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building a defense strategy 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Festus, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

A criminal conviction, even for a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a sizable fine, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. 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 as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Festus, MO to explore your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Festus, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Festus, 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 – no more than seven years in prison
Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

In the end, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh factors including the specific circumstances of 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 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 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Festus criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class 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 present your case meticulously to your peers in a jury trial, leaving the jury members to then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Festus, 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 grouped into categories 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. 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 Festus, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Festus, 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 Festus-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 Festus, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Festus 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 staring down a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets in general cannot be removed 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 stiffer penalties.

Many Festus drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Festus traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, after you’ve paid them, are removed from your record or influence insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our top-notch Festus 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 Festus, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Festus traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Festus, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time in jail. In contrast to other Festus defense attorneys, our firm places absolute 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 Festus 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 are looking at criminal charges in Festus, from a small moving violation for an improper lane change to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but preceding that we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the skilled Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.