Criminal Defense Attorney in Ladue, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Ladue, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is a serious ordeal. Just being convicted of a small infraction could cause you to pay a large fine, spend time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend multiple years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even following your reentry into society you will be further punished via loss of additional privileges or rights that a large number of people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms, running for office, or holding specific jobs. In addition, in many instances, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which often severely curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people rise above criminal allegations in the Ladue, MO area. Our firm realizes that sometimes good people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your reputation, life, and freedom. Our impressive history of winning cases is notable among Ladue criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — just ask the satisfied Ladue 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 Ladue, MO criminal case.

Ladue, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

An allegation of any crime is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require an extra level of legal acumen and care. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of around 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions result in plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will stop at nothing to coax a guilty plea, make sure 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 Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Ladue, MO is not scared 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 who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Ladue area and helped them put what is an unquestionably 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 Ladue, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Ladue, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a lawyer from our capable and cunning St. Louis-based law firm, you can be confident 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 can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future in jeopardy, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not procrastinate talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Ladue, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can get to work 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Ladue, MO about your criminal case.

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 suspect that the likelihood of a conviction is high, do not lose hope. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be able to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Ladue, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Ladue, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Ladue, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories that reflect the severity. 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 variety of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment is up to the judge. They will weigh information including the specific circumstances of the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning a crime usually 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 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 Ladue representing you, 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 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 you have a strong case but the prosecutor refuses to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte 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 Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are classified 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, 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 Ladue, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Ladue, 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 Ladue, 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Ladue, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Ladue 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 drastically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over again during this period you could be looking at increased penalties.

Many Ladue drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Ladue traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal knowledge to every single one of its cases, even small moving violations. Our firm works without rest to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are brought down to non-moving violations (which, once paid, are removed from your record or affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Ladue 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 given a traffic ticket in Ladue, MO and do not want it to affect your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and start the process of fixing your Ladue traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Ladue, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Ladue 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 anytime access to the Ladue 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 anything else.

When you are facing criminal charges in Ladue, from a small traffic ticket for speeding to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but preceding that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the driven Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.