Criminal Defense Attorney in Wildwood, MO

Criminal Defense Attorney in Wildwood, MO. If you have been recently arrested and charged with a crime, you do not need to be told that the situation is to be taken seriously. Even being convicted of a small infraction could cause you to pay a hefty fine, do time behind bars, or have to spend several years on probation. Facing a felony conviction only heightens these consequences: not only will you likely have to spend a number of years locked up in the Missouri state prisons, but after your release you will be further punished via loss of certain privileges or rights that most people take for granted. Convicted felons are barred from owning guns, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many situations, you will be forced to mark your status as a convicted felon on rental or job applications, which usually severely curtails where they can work or live.

The experienced Wildwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have helped many Wildwood-area residents fight criminal charges. Our firm realizes that people with good intetions can get caught up in bad situations, and our criminal defense lawyers work to limit the effect a criminal conviction has on your freedom, reputation, and life. Our impressive history of winning distinguishes us from other Wildwood criminal defense law firms, and we pride ourselves on the special focus we place on our personalized touch and availability to our clients — hear it firsthand from the satisfied Wildwood clients who have worked with Combs Waterkotte. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP, or contact us online, for a free, no-strings-attached review of your Wildwood, MO criminal case.

Wildwood, MO Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing a criminal charge is a scary enough circumstance, but criminal charges at the federal level require a heightened stage of legal acumen and focus. Prosecutors for the United States courts are poised to win no matter the cost: the U.S. Justice Department regularly boasts that it has a conviction rate of about 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 pull out every trick in the book to induce a guilty plea, make sure that you spend years in a federal prison, and resign you to live the rest of your life with a federal criminal conviction.

At Combs Waterkotte, our Wildwood, MO criminal defense attorneys have ample and documented experience in taking on federal criminal defense cases and getting positive results for our clients. Our firm of federal criminal defense attorneys near Wildwood, 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 helped many who have been accused of federal criminal acts in the Wildwood area and helped them 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 Wildwood, MO Criminal Defense Attorney

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

The criminal defense attorneys of Combs Waterkotte based in Wildwood, Missouri have years of experience protecting defendants’ rights and fighting against criminal allegations. When you hire a lawyer with our capable and cunning St. Louis criminal defense firm, you can be confident that you will always get thoughful counsel and dedicated legal defense. Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, we treat your case, and your life, with the utmost care. You can reach and speak to your dedicated defense attorney and legal team at any time.

With your freedom and future on the line, it is imperative that you find someone you can trust and rely upon to advocate for you and fight on your behalf. Do not put off reaching out 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 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 Wildwood, MO criminal defense attorney 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 could lose years of your life serving time in the state prison system, and as a convicted felon you lose lifelong rights that so many of us take for granted. As a convicted felon in Missouri, you 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 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 for certain cases you may be able to pursue a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in Wildwood, MO to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to find out what our Wildwood, MO defense attorneys can do to help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges and Punishments in Wildwood, Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on the severity of the crime. 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 conviction and sentence in your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the precise terms of your punishment is decided by the judge. The judge in your case will take into account information such as 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. The enhancement is applied if you have prior convictions or for certain crimes that are considered dangerous or crimes based on a victim’s race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sex or disability. On the other hand, with a competent and dedicated criminal defense attorney in Wildwood representing you, what was originally a Class B charge could be dropped down to a lesser felony, a felony could be minimized to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you 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 Combs Waterkotte to discuss your case and potential options with our Wildwood, MO criminal defense attorneys.

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

As 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 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 Wildwood, MO now.

Fixing Traffic Tickets In Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, 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.

Being written a traffic ticket in Wildwood, MO isn’t just a pain, it’s also a drain on your finances. If you decide to pay your Wildwood traffic ticket, you indirectly 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 looking at a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and your car insurance premiums will dramatically increase. Tickets usually cannot be removed from your driving record for at least three years, as well, meaning that if you are pulled over once again during this period you could be looking at stiffer penalties.

Many Wildwood drivers are choosing Combs Waterkotte as their Wildwood traffic ticket lawyer, and with good reason. Combs Waterkotte brings unequaled legal intelligence to every one of its cases, even minor moving violations. Our firm works non-stop to ensure that the charges on your traffic ticket are reduced to non-moving violations (which, once paid, do not stay on your record or influence insurance premiums) or have your ticket dismissed due to police not following proper procedure. Most importantly, our premier Wildwood 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 written a traffic ticket in Wildwood, 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 getting your Wildwood traffic ticket fixed.

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

Choosing the right Wildwood, MO lawyer can be the difference between your case being ended favorably and you spending time behind bars. In contrast to other Wildwood defense attorneys, our firm places total client satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Combs Waterkotte, you can rest assured that you will have anytime access to the Wildwood 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 anything else.

When you have been indicted on criminal charges in Wildwood, from a simple traffic ticket for failing to properly signal to serious 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 ask you to take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about their time working with the skilled Wildwood, MO criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte.