Tampering Charges in St. Louis, MO - for as little as $450

Have you been charged with criminal tampering in St. Louis, MO? Did you use someone else’s car (or truck, or motorcycle, or motor boat) without their permission? Did you mess around with a utility meter (like an electric, gas, steam, or water meter)? Or did you handle someone else’s property in a way that caused them an “inconvenience”? Do you know if you have been charged in the 1st or 2nd Degree? Do you know what the difference is between the two charges? Are you trying to figure out your options and legal rights? Do you know what the long term consequences are for pleading guilty to the crime of tampering? Are you familiar with the benefits one receives from hiring an attorney to handle the case for you?

There are two categories for a St. Louis tampering charge: Tampering in the 1st Degree; and Tampering in the 2nd Degree. Tampering 1st is described as a Class C Felony (which can come with a jail sentence of up to seven (7) years and a fine of $5,000). This charge is for the more serious forms of tampering. Tampering 2nd is a Class A Misdemeanor (in which you could potential get up to one (1) year of jail and a $1,000 fine). Second Degree Tampering is reserved for less serious infractions.

So what is the difference? Why is someone charged with 1st Degree as opposed to 2nd Degree? Well, the answer is: it depends!! For example, if you “knowingly deface” another person’s automobile, then it is a First Degree charge. But if you only “unlawfully ride” in another person’s car, then it is only a Second Degree charge. Or if you cause a “substantial interruption of service” to a public utility, it is tampering in the 1st. But if you only tamper with a public utility meter to prevent proper measuring, then it is considered a 2nd charge. So as you can see, the degree to with which you are charged depends greatly on what exactly you did.

Regardless of which classification you were charged with, it is not a good idea to simply plead guilty. If you plead guilty, then a criminal conviction for tampering in St. Louis will become a part of your permanent record. But we have a much different plan in mind for your case!! We want to examine all the pertinent facts of your case to see if there are any viable defenses that can be asserted. And at the very least, we would want to look into the possibility of getting the charge reduced to a lesser infraction (so that it does not show up on your record at all). And that is far better than the alternative described above!

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 $450. But the initial consultation to discuss your legal issues is free of charge. So contact us today!!

We have two main locations: in the Central West End of St. Louis, at 1 North Taylor (on the corner of Taylor and Laclede), 63108; and in the Twin Cities of Festus / Crystal City, at 1000 Truman Blvd (Highway 61/67), 63019. The initial consultation is free of charge. So contact us today to learn more!!