Felony defense lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri. Being charged with a felony in Kansas City can quickly lead to your freedom, your reputation, your job, your relationships, and even your future housing and financial opportunities being at risk. Prosecutors move fast, the stakes are high, and even a small misstep early on can drastically affect the outcome of your Kansas City case.
If you’re facing a felony charge in the Kansas City area, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to dismantle the prosecution’s case, protect your rights, and fight tenaciously for your future. That’s where the experience of a Combs Waterkotte Kansas City felony defense lawyer comes in.
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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City and across Missouri.
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Article Summary
This article explains why hiring an experienced felony defense lawyer in Kansas City is crucial when facing serious criminal charges. It highlights the severe consequences of a felony conviction, the types of cases commonly defended in Kansas City, and the importance of securing legal representation quickly. The summary also covers core defense strategies we use at Combs Waterkotte, such as challenging illegal searches, attacking inadequate evidence, and negotiating from a position of strength, and emphasizes why choosing an aggressive, knowledgeable felony defense lawyer can make the difference between prison time and protecting your future.
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Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
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Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Why Felony Charges in Kansas City Are So Serious
Missouri separates criminal charges into misdemeanors and felonies, but the difference between them is enormous. Prosecutors in Kansas City pursue felony charges aggressively, because they often involve allegations of violence, weapons, drugs, financial harm, or serious risk to others.
A felony conviction in Kansas City can lead to:
- Years, even decades, in prison
- Massive fines
- Felony criminal record that follows you for life
- Loss of gun rights
- Loss of voting rights
- Difficulty finding employment, housing, or loans
- Supervised probation with strict conditions
- Immigration consequences for noncitizens
This is not the time to “wait and see what happens with these charges.” This is the time to hire a Kansas City felony defense lawyer who knows how to fight. And won’t stop until you get the best possible outcome.
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 Kansas City is so important.
Class A Felony in Kansas City
A Class A felony conviction leads to a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to 30 years or life imprisonment.
Class A felonies are the most severe non-death-penalty offenses in Missouri. These charges typically involve allegations of extreme violence, serious harm, or conduct that the State considers a significant threat to public safety. Because Class A felonies often carry decades behind bars, with limited opportunities for probation, early, aggressive defense is critical.
Examples in Kansas City and elsewhere 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 Kansas City
A Class B felony conviction can lead to a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 15 years.
Class B felonies in Kansas City are extremely serious and commonly arise from violent confrontations or crimes involving weapons, home intrusions, or sudden emotional reactions. While the sentencing range is lower than Class A, the State still treats these offenses harshly, and many defendants face mandatory prison time if convicted.
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 Kansas City
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 range of conduct, from lower-level violence to financial or sex-related offenses. Judges have more flexibility with these cases, and many defendants may be eligible for probation depending on their record and the facts. Strong negotiation and early intervention can greatly affect outcomes for Class C charges.
Examples in Kansas City and across 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 Kansas City
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 serious but often involve allegations of nonviolent conduct, lower-level drug crimes, property offenses, or domestic disputes. Many of these charges offer room for reduction or alternative sentencing if handled strategically. We often see Class D felonies in the Kansas City area arise from misunderstandings, emotional arguments, or one-time mistakes.
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 Kansas City
A Class E felony conviction can lead to up to 4 years in prison and/or fines up to $10,000.
Class E felonies are the least severe felony category in Kansas City, but they are still felonies. A conviction in this class can permanently affect employment, licensing, firearm rights, and future background checks. These charges often stem from conduct the State considers negligent or risky, even without intent to harm.
Examples in Kansas City include:
- Criminal negligence (RSMo. § 562.016)
- Some vehicle-related offenses, 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)
If you’re facing any felony charge in Kansas City, you need representation from a skilled felony defense lawyer who is trained to navigate high-stakes litigation and build powerful defense strategies. Call Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online.
Why You Need a Kansas City Felony Defense Lawyer — Fast
The first days after an arrest are critical. Evidence can be lost or the chain of custody disturbed. Witnesses can be influenced. Police and prosecutors are building a case against you. Combs Waterkotte is here to help.
Our felony defense lawyer in Kansas City can:
- Protect your rights immediately
- Build a strong defense BEFORE charges are formally filed
- Stop you from accidentally incriminating yourself
- Secure, preserve, and examine key evidence
- Challenge illegal searches, traffic stops, or arrests
- Negotiate bond reduction or release conditions
- Investigate witness credibility and police conduct
Powerful Defense Strategies Our Kansas City Felony Defense Lawyers Use
Every felony case in Kansas City is different, but Combs Waterkotte builds defense strategies based solely on the circumstances of your case. Successful felony defense often includes:
1. Attacking the Elements of the Crime
The prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. If even one element fails, you win.
2. Fourth Amendment Challenges
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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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
- Shaky witness identification
- Inconsistent police reports
- Coerced statements
5. Negotiation From a Position of Strength
Prosecutors negotiate differently with our Kansas City felony defense lawyers because we’re fully prepared to go to trial.
A trial-ready defense often results in:
- Full dismissals
- Reduced charges
- Alternative sentencing
- Treatment-based resolutions
- Deferred prosecution
Why Choose a Kansas City Felony Defense Lawyer at Combs Waterkotte?
A top felony defense lawyer in Kansas City is far more than someone who shows up to court and speaks on your behalf. This is your life; not a file number. You deserve a lawyer who treats it that way.
Our defense attorneys are:
- Committed to YOU, not the system
- Familiar with local Kansas City courts and prosecutors
- Strategic, highly skilled, and aggressive
- Experienced with serious charges and high stakes
- Focused on successful outcomes
Call a Combs Waterkotte Kansas City Felony Defense Lawyer Right Now
No matter what level of felony you’re facing in Kansas City, the consequences can reshape the rest of your life. You don’t have to face them alone. Whether you’re accused of a Class A violent felony or a lower-level offense, your future depends on what you do next. Prosecutors are already building their case. Evidence is already in motion. And every day you wait limits your options.
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 Kansas City felony defense lawyer. Your defense starts the moment you reach out.
