Criminal Defense Attorney in Webster Groves, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Webster Groves, MO. If you have been charged with a crime, you understand that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even being convicted of a minor crime could cause you to pay an expensive fine, serve time behind bars, or have to spend multiple years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only are you subject to several years locked up in the Missouri state prison system, but following your reentry into society you will no longer enjoy certain rights or privileges that most citizens take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many cases, you could be mandated to share your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely limits where they can work or live.

The skilled Webster Groves, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have assisted many Webster Groves-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that people with good intetions can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and our criminal defense firm works to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our record of success is notable among Webster Groves 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 Webster Groves clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Talk to us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Webster Groves, MO criminal case.

Webster Groves, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough circumstance, but when the charges you are facing are federal charges, they demand a heightened caliber of legal intelligence and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are driven to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Department of Justice often advertises that it has a conviction rate of roughly 90 percent. Overwhelmingly, these 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 coax a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and have a federal conviction on your record for the remainder of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Webster Groves, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and winning positive outcomes for our clients. Our team of federal criminal defense attorneys near Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves area and helped them 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 Webster Groves, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Webster Groves, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney with our hard-working St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident 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 very life at risk of being taken from you, you need a legal ally to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off speaking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight your charges in Webster Groves, 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 lifting the weight of the unknown from your shoulders. Call (314) 900-HELP now or reach us online to speak to a Webster Groves, MO criminal defense attorney about your criminal case.

Missouri Criminal Cases and Consequences

A criminal conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor can leave you with a fine to pay, county jail time, and/or years of supervised probation. 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 encarcerated in state prisons, and once you are labeled a convicted felon you will no longer have certain rights or privileges that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, as a felon you are required 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, you are not without options. 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 Webster Groves, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our Webster Groves, MO defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Webster Groves, Missouri

In Missouri, felony crimes are classified into categories that reflect the severity. Based on the class of your felony conviction, 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 outcome of your felony criminal case is influenced by a number of variables. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be determined by the judge. The judge in your case will weigh information including 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, meaning what is usually considered 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. On the other hand, with the representation and dedication of a talented Webster Groves criminal defense attorney, what was originally a Class B charge could be reduced to a lower felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less severe.

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 is not willing to drop the charges, your criminal defense lawyer with Combs Waterkotte 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 Webster Groves, 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 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

Similar to felonies, sentencing for a misdemeanor can be enhanced based upon the circumstances or your criminal history. 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 Webster Groves, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves-based defense attorneys can help you through our excellent 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 given a traffic ticket in Webster Groves, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you elect to pay your Webster Groves traffic ticket, you effectively plead guilty to the charges against you and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be expunged 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 subject to stiffer penalties.

An increasing number of Webster Groves drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Webster Groves traffic ticket lawyer, and with good cause. Combs Waterkotte brings unparalleled legal acumen to all 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 affect insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to an irregularity in your stop. Best of all, our exceptional Webster Groves 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 given a traffic ticket in Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves traffic ticket.

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

Choosing the right Webster Groves, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time incarcerated. In contrast to other Webster Groves 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 get anytime access to the Webster Groves 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 with us your case, the legal process, or any other topic.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Webster Groves, from a small moving violation for failing to properly signal to severe felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, but before that we invite you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their experiences working with the experienced Webster Groves, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.