Criminal Defense Attorney in Herculaneum, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Herculaneum, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you do not need to be told the weight of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a small misdemeanor could cause you to pay a sizable fine, do 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 several years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your release you will no longer be entitled to certain rights or privileges that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. Also, in many instances, you could be mandated to admit your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which usually severely curtails where they can live or work.

The winning Herculaneum, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Herculaneum-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm recognizes that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of success distinguishes us from other Herculaneum 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 Herculaneum clients who have contacted Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your Herculaneum, MO criminal case.

Herculaneum, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand an extra amount of legal intelligence and dilligence. United States prosecuting attorneys are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often boasts 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 use the full arsenal of resources at their disposal 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 Herculaneum, 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 Herculaneum, MO is not afraid to face 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 stood up for many Herculaneum-area residents who were looking at all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly troubling 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 Herculaneum, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Herculaneum, 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 will always receive quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future at risk of being taken from you, it is imperative that you find a legal ally you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate reaching out to a Herculaneum area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome 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 Herculaneum, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. When the crime is a felony, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, 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 prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or obtaining certain types of employment. 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 achieving a productive, fruitful life.

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 able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Herculaneum, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Herculaneum, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Herculaneum, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect 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 – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case is influenced by a variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will take into account information such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your criminal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so a crime typically classified as 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes due to a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Herculaneum representing you, what was originally a Class B felony could be reduced to a lower class felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney may be able 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 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 to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Herculaneum, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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. 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 Herculaneum, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Herculaneum, MO

Did you know that Combs Waterkotte can also help you resolve traffic tickets and other traffic law matters? Even if you have never been arrested for a crime, our Herculaneum-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 Herculaneum, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Herculaneum traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 greatly increase. Tickets generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this window you could be looking at increased penalties.

A growing number of Herculaneum drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Herculaneum traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to every 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 an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our premier Herculaneum traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Herculaneum, 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 Herculaneum traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Herculaneum, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Herculaneum defense attorneys, our firm places complete satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will have anytime access to the Herculaneum 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 Herculaneum, from a small traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Call us 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 skilled Herculaneum, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.