Criminal Defense Attorney in Wentzville, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Wentzville, MO. If you have been arrested for a crime, you know that the situation is a serious ordeal. Even a conviction for a small infraction could force you to pay an expensive fine, spend time in county jail, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only magnifies these consequences: not only are you subject to a number of years encarcerated in the Missouri state prison system. And even after your release from prison you will continue to pay through the loss of additional privileges or rights that most citizens assume they will always have. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms, running in an election, or holding certain occupations. Also, in many instances, you will be forced to admit your status as a convicted felon on job or housing applications, which usually heavily curtails where they can live or work.

The experienced Wentzville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Wentzville-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm gets that sometimes decent people can encounter hard times, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the damage criminal charges have on your ability to live life. Our record of success distinguishes us from other Wentzville 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 Wentzville 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 Wentzville, MO criminal case.

Wentzville, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested is a scary enough situation, but criminal charges at the federal level demand an extra level of legal knowledge and dilligence. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win by any means necessary: the U.S. Justice Department often touts that it has a conviction rate of about 90 percent. The overwhelming majority of those convictions are plea bargains, where a defendant accepts a lesser charge or punishment in exchange for an admission 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 rest of your life.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO is not afraid to take on 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 assisted many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Wentzville 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 Wentzville, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

The proficient Wentzville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte defend all cases and criminal charges, like:

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Wentzville, Missouri have been successfully defending the rights of the accused for years. When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our hard-working St. Louis-based law firm, you can rest assured that you will always receive dedicated service and individual attention and care. 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 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 defend your freedome. Do not put off talking to a criminal defense attorney to help you fight 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 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 speak to a criminal defense attorney in Wentzville, MO about your criminal case.

What are the punishments for criminal charges in Missouri?

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 may be sentenced to years encarcerated in state prisons, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that many people take for granted. Convicted felons are limited from purchasing or possessing 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 applications for jobs, housing and other opportunities and resources, which often severely limits where you can work or live.

If you are already a felon or believe you are likely to be convicted, do not panic. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights and in some cases you may be eligible to request a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Wentzville, MO to learn about how to restore your rights after receiving a conviction. Contact us to find out what our Wentzville, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Punishments for Felony Charges in Wentzville, Missouri

Under criminal law in Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes 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 – a maximum of seven years in prison
Class E Felony – a maximum of four years in prison

Ultimately, the conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of variables. If you receive a felony conviction, the precise punishment you are sentenced to will be decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account factors including the situation surrounding the crime, your personal history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, so what is typically 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 certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. Likewise, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Wentzville representing you, your original Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser class felony, a felony charge could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to obtain a less serious.

You may also be able to have the charged dropped completely, 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 refuses 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 you are guilty. Contact Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Wentzville, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are categorized 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, in misdemeanor cases your defense attorney can often help you avoid serving jail time in favor of 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 Wentzville, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also a financial penalty. If you decide to pay your Wentzville traffic ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the charges you were pulled over for and they go on your driving record. Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will greatly increase. Tickets usually cannot be struck from your driving record for a minimum of three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over again during this window you could be subject to stiffer penalties.

Many Wentzville drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Wentzville traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unmatched legal intelligence to every single one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works tirelessly to make sure 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 police not following proper procedure. Best of all, our top-notch Wentzville traffic ticket lawyer services come at an excellent value: just $49.99 for most cases, allowing you access to first-rate legal services at a price you would not expect. If you have recently been issued a traffic ticket in Wentzville, 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 start the process of fixing your Wentzville traffic ticket.

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

Finding the right Wentzville, MO lawyer can make the difference between your case ending favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Wentzville defense attorneys, our firm places absolute satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that you will receive 24/7 access to the Wentzville criminal defense lawyer 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 Wentzville, from a small traffic ticket for an improper lane change to federal felonies, call Combs Waterkotte first. Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to set up a free consultation, but before that we ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the driven Wentzville, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.