Criminal Defense Attorney in Pike County, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Pike County, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Just being convicted of a minor infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, serve 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 in the Missouri state prisons. And even following your release from prison you will no longer enjoy additional privileges or rights that a large number of citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running in an election, or holding specific occupations. In addition, in many instances, you could be forced to disclose your status as a convicted felon on housing or employment applications, which often drastically curtails where they can live or work.

The winning Pike County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Pike County-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that sometimes decent people can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to minimize the effect a criminal conviction has on your ability to live life. Our impressive history of winning is notable among Pike County criminal defense law firms, and we place client satisfaction at the center of everything we do — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Pike County clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Pike County, MO criminal case.

Pike County, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough situation, but when the charges against you are federal charges, they require a heightened caliber of legal knowledge and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these convictions are 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 get a guilty plea, ensure 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 Pike County, MO criminal defense attorneys have vast and proven experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Pike County, MO is not scared to square off against any opponent — be it local municipal prosecutors, the Missouri state prosecutor department or federal attorneys — and fight tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. We have stood up for many Pike County-area residents who were facing all sorts of federal criminal charges defend themselves against these charges and put what is a certainly 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 Pike County, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The skilled Pike County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Pike County, Missouri have decades of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you will always get personalized care and dedicated representation. 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, it is imperative that you find a legal ally to advocate for you and defend your freedome. Do not put off reaching out to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Pike County, MO or anywhere in Missouri. The quicker you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can dedicate our time and effort toward building your case 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 Pike County, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

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 could lose years of your life serving time 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 limited 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 job or rental applications, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, you are not without options. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and for certain cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Pike County, MO to explore how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to learn how our Pike County, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Pike County, Missouri

Under criminal law 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
Class E Felony – no more than four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. They will take into account 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 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 in 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 the representation and dedication of a talented Pike County criminal defense attorney, your original Class B felony could be dropped down to a lower class felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a less serious.

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 take the fight to trial where they will present your case to a jury of your peers who will then determine whether or not you are guilty. Contact our Pike County, MO felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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 in certain cases. 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 Pike County, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Pike County, 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 Pike County-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 given a traffic ticket in Pike County, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you choose to pay your Pike County traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were accused of 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 generally cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, which means that if you are pulled over another time during this period you could be subject to increased penalties.

More and more Pike County drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Pike County traffic ticket lawyer, and for good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen 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 influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police error. Most importantly, our exceptional Pike County traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, providing you access to premier legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Pike County, MO and do not want it to stay on your driving record, call us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with our firm and begin the process of fixing your Pike County traffic ticket.

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

Selecting the right Pike County, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case having a positive outcome and you spending time behind bars. Unlike other Pike County defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive anytime access to the Pike County criminal defense lawyer that is working on your case. No matter the circumstances, the place, or the hour, you can discuss your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Pike County, from a small moving violation for an improper lane change to federal felonies, make Combs Waterkotte your first call. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before you call we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Pike County, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.