Criminal Defense Attorney St. Louis, Missouri. At Combs Law Group, our entire practice is dedicated to protecting people like you — good people in difficult situations. In the case of a criminal allegation, you may feel overwhelmed, hopeless or intimidated, and understandably so, but we are here to help.

Though you have rights and protections when accused of a crime in Missouri or anywhere in the US, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney fighting for you and preserving those rights. The possible outcomes after being arrested for a crime vary so greatly and it takes a practiced criminal defense lawyer to navigate the legal proceedings that follow. We will lead the way and protect you from unfair and unlawful treatment by the courts. Call (314) 900-HELP to speak to a defense attorney in St. Louis now.

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Every person deserves quality legal representation regardless of their income or socioeconomic status. Combs Law Group is committed to using our expertise to uphold justice for all. If you need a lawyer but are not sure if you can afford one, speak to one of our attorneys about our affordable payment plans now.

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Your Criminal Defense

Your Criminal Defense in Missouri

No matter what actually happened or why you are in this situation, you have rights and deserve fair treatment under the law. Combs Law Group is the law firm to see this through for you. Our Missouri criminal defense team has obtained excellent outcomes in criminal cases for our clients, getting charges dropped completely or reduced to lesser charges and reaching favorable deals for significantly lighter sentences. Our criminal defense lawyers are knowledgeable in everything from minor traffic offenses to serious felony charges and even federal criminal cases. We provide zealous representation and fierce protection of your rights and freedom. Call a leading criminal dattorney in St. Louis today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Criminal Charges We Fight

Criminal Charges We Fight in St. Louis, Missouri

What are my rights when accused of a crime?

What are my rights when accused of a crime in Missouri?

You deserve equal protection under the law no matter what you have been accused of or what happened. Even if you did factually commit the acts of which you are accused, that does not necessarily mean you are legally guilty and should be sentenced to punishment. Our job as your criminal defense lawyer is to passionately and fiercely protect your rights in court and balance the scales. Without a skilled attorney on your side, it is nearly impossible to navigate the intricacies of the law, identify where your rights are being infringed upon and demand that your rights are observed.

US and Missouri law is complex, and your rights span the book. With a Combs Law Group defense lawyer on your side in St. Louis, you have peace of mind that you will be protected from unfair and unlawful treatment. As a defendant, it is wise to become familiar with your fundamental rights.

  • Reduced

    2nd Degree Murder

    2nd degree murder charges reduced to manslaughter: client only served 60 days house arrest.

    Reduced

    First Degree Murder and ACA

    For First Degree Murder and ACA, with plea negotiations man received 13 years when looking at life.

    Acquitted

    First Degree Assault and ACA

    Man charged with First Degree Assault and ACA acquitted at trial with a self-defense argument.

Criminal

Reduced

2nd Degree Murder

2nd degree murder charges reduced to manslaughter: client only served 60 days house arrest.

Reduced

First Degree Murder and ACA

For First Degree Murder and ACA, with plea negotiations man received 13 years when looking at life.

Acquitted

First Degree Assault and ACA

Man charged with First Degree Assault and ACA acquitted at trial with a self-defense argument.

Criminal Charges and Consequences

Criminal Charges and Consequences Under Missouri Law

A conviction for even a minor infraction or misdemeanor could result in a sizable fine, county jail time, or years of supervised probation. For felony charges, the outcome of a conviction can be much more dire. You may be sentenced to years in the state prison system, 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 barred from owning firearms, voting in elections, running for office, or holding certain jobs. Also, in many cases, they will be required to disclose your status as a convicted felon on job or rent 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, all hope is not lost. Missouri law does allow for the restoration of certain rights while in some cases you may be able to seek a pardon, expungement, or the sealing of your record. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in St. Louis to learn about your post-conviction rights and options. Contact us to learn how our St. Louis defense attorneys can help you reclaim your rights.

Felony Charges

Felony Charges in Missouri

In Missouri, crimes that are considered felonies are classified into categories based on 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 – up to seven years in prison
  • Class E Felony – up to four years in prison

Ultimately, the outcome of your felony criminal case depends on a number of factors. If you are convicted of a felony, the exact terms of your punishment will be decided by the judge. They will take into account factors such as the specific circumstances of the crime, your history and other details.

There are some special crimes for which the class and subsequent punishment are enhanced, meaning what is typically considered 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 representing you, your original Class B charge could be reduced to a lesser felony, a felony could be dropped down to a misdemeanor or your criminal defense attorney could argue to get you a lesser punishment.

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 refuses to drop the charges, your Combs Law 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 or St. Louis felony defense attorneys today to discuss your case and your options and receive quality counsel and representation.

Misdemeanor Charges

Misdemeanor Charges in Missouri

Like with felonies, misdemeanors in Missouri are grouped into categories 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, 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 Law Group today at (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case and your options with a St. Louis defense attorney now.

  • I'm not surprised that Combs Law Group has a 5 out of 5 stars on Google. I was fortunate enough to find Chris through a friend, who had hired Chris as his DWI lawyer in Maryland Heights. He came highly recommended and so I went and met him and I found him to be really helpful right from the start. I could tell that he was going to take care of me and help get me out of the legal problems I was facing. I would definitely hire Chris again if I was in need of a criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis. Thanks, Chris!

    — Anthony Nicoletti

  • I cannot begin to thank Chris enough for his dedication and expertise in assisting me with a legal matter. The outcome could not have gone any better. He made me feel comfortable in knowing he was giving 100% to assist me! Thank you Chris for your intuitiveness and intelligence in handling my legal matter!

    — Mikhail Lin

  • I would like to take this as an opportunity to commend and thank the Combs Law Group. Mr. Combs recently represented me for a speeding ticket that I received in St. Louis while on a business trip. Mr. Combs was prompt and efficient with our correspondence regarding the matter, and was able to get the ticket dismissed. I highly recommend Mr. Combs and will refer him to any of my colleagues in need of his services.

    — Alexander F. Rek

  • Chris has been my attorney for years now and has always gone above and beyond for me. Anything I have needed him to do he has made it happen for me and many people I have recommended him to. The choice of a lawyer is an important one and Chris has always taken great care of me. Highly recommended!!

    — Benjamin Serkes

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney for your Missouri Charges

When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a free, no-obligation consultation that’s free of any judgment or criticism, no matter what the nature of your charges. Our clients and their rights and freedom matter to us. You’ll have the cell phone number of the criminal attorney working on your case, and will always speak directly to them — not a paralegal. Whether you’re innocent of the charges or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll give you the dedicated, aggressive and compassionate legal representation you are entitled to. Call a St. Louis criminal attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.