Felony Defense Lawyer Riverside, MO

Felony defense lawyer in Riverside, MO. When you’re charged with a felony in the Riverside, MO area, your life can change instantly. Your freedom, your job, your relationships, and your long-term future can all be put at risk. Prosecutors move quickly, and even one wrong move early on can make your situation far more difficult.

If you’re facing felony charges in the Riverside, MO area, you need a defense attorney who knows how to tear apart the State’s evidence, assert your rights, and fight aggressively for your future. That’s exactly what a Combs Waterkotte Riverside, MO felony defense lawyer is built to do.

Call us immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential case review with one of our expert defense attorneys in Riverside, MO. The Combs Waterkotte felony defense legal team has over 60 years of combined experience and has successfully handled 10,000+ cases just like yours in Riverside and across Missouri.

Article Summary

This article breaks down why hiring a knowledgeable felony defense lawyer in Riverside, MO is so important if you’ve been charged with a serious crime. It explains what’s at stake, the most common felony charges prosecuted in the area, and why moving quickly to protect your rights matters. You’ll also learn about the proven strategies Combs Waterkotte uses—like suppressing illegally obtained evidence, challenging the State’s assumptions, and negotiating from strength—to show how the right defense attorney can dramatically change the outcome of your case and protect your future.

How Serious Felony Charges Are in Riverside, MO

Missouri divides crimes into misdemeanors and felonies, and the gap between the two is significant. Felony cases in Riverside, MO often involve allegations of violence, weapons, drugs, major financial loss, or behavior that prosecutors believe endangered others—which is why the State pursues them so aggressively.

A felony conviction in Riverside, MO can lead to:

• Years, even decades, in prison
• Substantial fines
• A permanent felony conviction on your record
• Loss of firearm rights
• Losing your right to vote
• Barriers to jobs, housing, and financial opportunities
• Strict, court-supervised probation
• Immigration consequences for noncitizens

This isn’t the time to take a “wait and see” approach. You need a knowledgeable Riverside, MO felony defense lawyer who understands what’s at stake and is ready to fight hard from day one.

Understanding Missouri Felony Classes & Penalties

Missouri divides felony charges into five classes, A through E, with Class A being the most serious. Each class carries its own potential prison range, fines, and long-term consequences. Understanding which class your charge falls into can help you better anticipate what’s at stake and why hiring a skilled felony defense lawyer in Riverside, MO is so important.

Class A Felony in Riverside, MO

A Class A felony conviction carries a minimum of 10 years in prison and can extend to 30 years—or even life.

Class A felonies are some the most serious charges under Missouri law, usually involving extreme violence or major threats to public safety. Because penalties are so severe and options so limited, having an aggressive defense strategy from day one is absolutely critical.

Some of the most frequent examples we see in Riverside and across Missouri include:

• First-degree murder (Missouri Revised Statute § 565.020)
• Forcible rape of a child under 12 (RSMo. § 566.030)
• First-degree robbery (RSMo. § 570.023)
• First-degree kidnapping (RSMo. § 565.110)
• High-level drug trafficking offenses (RSMo. § 579.065)

Class B Felony in Riverside, MO

A Class B felony conviction can lead to a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 15 years.

Class B felonies in Riverside, MO frequently involve allegations of violence, weapons, or entering someone’s home without permission. These charges may not carry life sentences like Class A felonies, but the State still prosecutes them aggressively, and many defendants end up facing significant time behind bars.

Examples include:

• First-degree burglary (RSMo. § 569.160)
• Voluntary manslaughter (RSMo. § 565.023)
• Certain armed criminal action charges (RSMo. § 571.015)
• Some high-level drug distribution cases (RSMo. § 579.020)

Class C Felony in Riverside, MO

A Class C felony conviction can lead to up to 10 years in prison, and/or fines up to $10,000.

Class C felonies cover a wide spectrum of cases—from mid-level violent offenses to financial crimes and certain sex-related allegations. Because judges have more flexibility at this level, many people qualify for probation or reduced penalties, especially when the defense gets involved early to negotiate effectively.

Common examples in Riverside and throughout Missouri include:

• Involuntary manslaughter (RSMo. § 565.024)
• Theft (stealing over $750) (RSMo. § 570.030)
• Second-degree statutory rape (RSMo. § 566.034)
• Drug possession or distribution (felony-level amounts or prior offenses)

Class D Felony in Riverside, MO

A Class D felony conviction can lead to up to 7 years in prison and/or fines up to $10,000.

Class D felonies are still significant offenses, but they frequently involve nonviolent behavior, lower-level drug accusations, property-related crimes, or domestic conflicts. With the right defense strategy, many Class D charges can be reduced, amended, or resolved through probation. In Riverside, MO, these cases often stem from heated situations, poor decisions, or misunderstandings.

Examples include:

• Third-degree domestic assault (RSMo. § 565.074)
• Fraud and financial crimes (RSMo. Chapter 570)
• Passing bad checks (RSMo. § 570.120)
• Resisting arrest (RSMo. § 575.150)

Class E Felony in Riverside, MO

A Class E felony conviction can result in a prison sentence of up to 4 years and/or fines reaching $10,000.

Class E felony charges may be the least serious felony type in Riverside, MO, but they’re still felonies that can follow you for life. They often arise from conduct the State says was negligent, unsafe, or created a risk of harm. Even without intent, the consequences can be severe if not handled immediately.

Examples in Riverside, MO include:

• Criminal negligence (RSMo. § 562.016)
• Certain driving-related crimes, including DWI (RSMo. § 577.010), Leaving the Scene of an Accident (RSMo. § 577.060), Driving While Revoked (RSMo. § 302.321)
• Lower-level drug or property crimes (depending on circumstances)

When you’re charged with a felony in Riverside, MO, the smartest move you can make is hiring an experienced felony defense lawyer who can control the narrative and fight back with proven strategic defenses. Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to get help fast.

Why You Need a Riverside, MO Felony Defense Lawyer — Fast

Riverside, MO felony cases move fast—often faster than people expect. Police start collecting evidence. Prosecutors work to lock in witness statements. And every day you wait, your defense gets harder. You need an advocate now, not later.

Our Riverside, MO felony defense attorneys take action immediately to:

• Stop law enforcement from violating your rights
• Shape the narrative long before charges are finalized
• Keep you from saying anything that could hurt your case
• Secure crucial evidence before it’s lost or altered
• Challenge unconstitutional police conduct at every step
• Negotiate bond reduction or release conditions
• Expose weaknesses in witness claims or police reports

Facing Riverside, MO felony charges? When you choose a Combs Waterkotte felony defense lawyer in the Riverside, MO area, you’re not only choosing a leading felony defense attorney in Riverside, MO and beyond – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to an experienced felony defense lawyer, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Riverside and beyond:

• Gun Charges Attorney
• DWI Lawyer With Payment Plan
• Assault Defense Lawyer

High-Impact Defense Tactics Our Felony Attorneys Use in Riverside, MO

No two felony cases in Riverside, MO are alike. That’s why Combs Waterkotte crafts a defense plan built around the exact facts, evidence, and challenges in *your* situation. Proven felony defense strategies often involve:

1. Challenging the Required Elements of the Charge

The State must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If even one essential element doesn’t hold up, the charge should fall apart.

2. Fourth Amendment Violations

We examine whether the stop, arrest, or search was legal. Illegal searches often lead to suppressed evidence, and suppressed evidence often leads to dismissals.

3. Challenging Intent

Many felonies in Riverside, MO hinge on proving intent. We dismantle assumptions and show the real context behind the allegation.

4. Exposing Weak or Unreliable Evidence

We are armed with a multitude of resources, including a strong network of experts in Riverside and across Missouri, which we use to investigate any relevant evidence. We expose the prosecution’s shortcomings. This includes:

• Forensic flaws
• Missing chain-of-custody records
• Unreliable or mistaken eyewitnesses
• Inconsistent police reports
• Statements obtained through pressure or fear

5. Negotiation From a Position of Strength

Prosecutors change their tone when they know your Riverside, MO defense lawyer is ready for trial.

A trial-ready defense often results in:

• Cases being dismissed
• Charges being reduced
• Non-prison alternatives
• Treatment-based resolutions
• Deferred or diverted prosecution

Why Hire a Combs Waterkotte Felony Defense Lawyer in Riverside, MO?

A felony defense lawyer shouldn’t just “represent” you. They should protect you, guide you, and fight for you. At Combs Waterkotte, we treat your case like what it truly is—personal, urgent, and life-changing.

Our Riverside, MO attorneys are:

• Focused on your needs and your story
• Deeply knowledgeable about courts and prosecutors in the Riverside, MO area
• Proactive, tactical, and relentless in our approach
• Experienced with serious charges and high stakes
• Focused on successful outcomes

Speak With a Combs Waterkotte Riverside, MO Felony Defense Lawyer Today

The moment you’re accused of a felony in Riverside, MO, the clock starts ticking. Your rights, your reputation, your freedom, and your future are all on the line—and prosecutors are already building their case. Waiting only makes things harder.

At Combs Waterkotte, we bring the experience, the firepower, and the strategy needed to take control of your case and push back hard. We don’t judge you—we understand that good people get caught in bad situations—and we don’t give up. Call us as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation with a Riverside, MO felony defense lawyer. Your defense starts the moment you reach out.