St. Louis Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
MOST MISDEMEANORS CAN BE HANDLED FOR ONLY $375
It’s a big deal because a simple misdemeanor on your permanent record can cause lasting damage. If you choose not to have it taken care of by an attorney (or to do anything about it at all), then you will have a criminal conviction that will show up anytime someone runs a background check on you. But it does not have to go that way!!
Most people (unfortunately) will end up pleading guilty to a Missouri misdemeanor. They do so because they don’t realize that they have any other choice. So let’s say you have been charged with stealing in St. Louis (sometimes referred to as petty larceny or theft). And let’s further assume that the value of the goods allegedly stolen was less than $500. This would be a Class A Misdemeanor (which comes with up to one (1) year of jail time and a $1,000 fine). If you were to simply plead guilty to this charge, you would have to contend with this punishment upfront.
And then of course there is the collateral damage that most people don’t even think about. This would include what effect the criminal conviction will have on your future. If you want to get a job somewhere, or rent an apartment (or even take out a student or business loan), it is almost certain that a criminal background check will be run. The theft conviction will show up. And as a result, it is likely that you will screened out as a candidate for either the job, the apartment, and/or the loan.
PLEADING GUILTY IS NOT YOUR BEST OPTION!!
But things do not have to go down in that way!! An experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer can represent you on a stealing charge, and usually walk away with a much better deal than a guilty charge. An attorney can work closely with the local prosecutor to get the charge reduced to something minor (like “littering,” which doesn’t even show up on your record). Or in the alternative, he/she can work out an SIS with the court. “SIS” stands for Suspended Imposition of Sentence, in which you serve no jail time at all, and you do not have to pay any fine. You are placed on probation (usually for one to two years), and so long as you stay clean during that period of time (like you don’t get caught stealing again), then once the probationary period runs, then the charge goes away altogether.
The affordable St. Louis criminal defense attorneys at The Bankruptcy Company, have been helping people with their misdemeanor charges for over ten (10) years. Our goal is to make sure that the charges leveled against you do not stay on your permanent record, and do any lasting damage. And we want to do all of this at an affordable price. The fees for a typical misdemeanor case start at $375. But the initial consultation to discuss your legal issues is free of charge. So contact us today!!
We have one location by appointment only: 4625 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108. The initial consultation is free of charge. So contact us today to learn more!!