Criminal Defense Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you understand the grave nature of the charges that you are looking at. Even being convicted of a minor infraction could force you to pay a sizable fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only increases these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend several years in the Missouri state prison system, but following your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional rights or privileges that many people assume they will always have. Convicted felons are banned from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. Also, in many cases, you will be mandated to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually heavily limits where they can work or live.

The winning Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many people overcome criminal convictions in the Maryland Heights, MO area. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense firm works to minimize the detremental consequences criminal charges have on your life, freedom, and reputation. Our record of winning cases distinguishes us from other Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights, MO criminal case.

Maryland Heights, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough proposition, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they require an extra level of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant negotiates a lesser punishment or charge in exchange for a confession of guilt. Federal prosecutors will pull out all the stops to induce a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a Bureau of Prisons facility, and carry a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting favorable outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Maryland Heights, 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 tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have fought for many Maryland Heights-area residents who were looking at all kinds of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly scary 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 Maryland Heights, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, such as:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Maryland Heights, Missouri possess years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can rest assured that you will always get quality customer service and a thoughtful defense strategy. 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 on the line, it is imperative that you find someone to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not procrastinate speaking to a Maryland Heights area criminal defense attorney to help you overcome your charges in Maryland Heights, 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 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 talk to a criminal defense attorney in Maryland Heights, MO about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

Any criminal conviction will have an impact on your life. For felony charges, a conviction can have a much more significant impact on your life. You could lose years of your life serving time 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 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 job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

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 in some cases you may be eligible to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Turn to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Maryland Heights, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Maryland Heights, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Maryland Heights, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes based on 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 – no more than seven years in prison
Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

In the end, the outcome of 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 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 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. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Maryland Heights representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized 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 is not willing 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 decide whether or not to find you guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

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

The classification of a misdemeanor can also 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 Maryland Heights, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Maryland Heights, 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 defense attorneys in the Maryland Heights, MO area 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.

Getting a traffic ticket in Maryland Heights, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Maryland Heights traffic ticket, you indirectly plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the degree 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 usually cannot be expunged from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Maryland Heights drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Maryland Heights traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor 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, do not stay on your record or affect insurance rates) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Most importantly, our exceptional Maryland Heights traffic ticket lawyer services come at an exceptional value: just $49.99 for most cases, giving you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Maryland Heights, 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 getting your Maryland Heights traffic ticket fixed.

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

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

When you are facing criminal charges in Maryland Heights, from a small moving violation for failing to properly signal 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 before you call we suggest that you take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.