Criminal Defense Attorney in Foristell, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Foristell, MO. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you understand the gravity of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a minor infraction could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you at risk of several years locked up in the Missouri state prisons. And even after your release you will be further punished via loss of certain rights or privileges that many citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many instances, you could be required to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often drastically limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Foristell, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many men and women rise above criminal allegations in the Foristell, MO area. Our firm understands that sometimes good people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the damage a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our record of winning distinguishes us from other Foristell criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Foristell clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Foristell, MO criminal case.

Foristell, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level demand a heightened caliber of legal intelligence and care. United States prosecuting attorneys are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing 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 Waterkotte, our Foristell, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample 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 Foristell, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Foristell area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 Foristell, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Foristell, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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, you need someone to advocate for you and defend your rights. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Foristell, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building 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 criminal defense attorney in Foristell, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction, even for a low class misdemeanor could result in a fine to pay, time to serve in jail, and/or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years 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 owning 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 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 in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Foristell, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Foristell, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Foristell, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity of the crime. Depending 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will weigh factors such as the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

However, there are exceptions to the guidelines above. The classification of some crimes may be enhanced, so what is usually classified as a Class D felony in Missouri can be raised to a Class C, etc. This can happen 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. Conversely, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Foristell representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less severe.

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 your case for your innocence is sound but the prosecutor is not willing 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Foristell, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized into groups based on severity. Unlike prison time and possible parole that comes with a felony, 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced in certain cases. However, you can often avoid jail time for misdemeanors and instead agree to 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 Foristell, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Foristell, 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 defense attorneys in the Foristell, MO area 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 Foristell, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you choose to pay your Foristell traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree of your offense, you could be looking at 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 facing stiffer penalties.

A growing number of Foristell drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Foristell traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure 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 affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Best of all, our top-notch Foristell traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been written a traffic ticket in Foristell, 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 fixing your Foristell traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Foristell, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Foristell 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 get round-the-clock access to the Foristell criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter what time it or where you are, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you are looking at criminal charges in Foristell, from a simple moving violation for speeding to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Foristell, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.