Felony defense lawyer in Butler, MO. When you’re charged with a felony in the Butler, 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 a felony charge in the Butler, MO 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 Butler, MO felony defense lawyer comes in.
Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with one of our experienced felony attorneys in Butler, MO. With more than 60 years of combined experience and over 10,000 successful case results, the Combs Waterkotte team is ready to stand between you and the charges threatening your future.
Legal Videos
Quick Summary
This article explains why hiring an experienced felony defense lawyer in Butler, MO is crucial when facing serious criminal charges. It highlights the severe consequences of a felony conviction, the types of cases commonly defended in Butler, MO, 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.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
-
Protect Your Life
![Image]()
Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
Reach Out Now
-
Know Your Next Steps
![Image]()
Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
Stay Informed
-
Title
![Image]()
Ready to Talk to an Expert?
Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
Get Started
Why Felony Charges in Butler, MO Are So Serious
Missouri separates criminal charges into misdemeanors and felonies, but the difference between them is enormous. Prosecutors in Butler, MO pursue felony charges aggressively, because they often involve allegations of violence, weapons, drugs, financial harm, or serious risk to others.
If you’re convicted of a felony in Butler, MO, you may face:
- Years, even decades, in prison
- Heavy fines
- A lifelong felony record
- Loss of gun rights
- Losing your right to vote
- Major challenges securing housing or employment
- Strict, court-supervised probation
- Potential ICE or immigration action for noncitizens
This is not the time to “wait and see what happens with these charges.” This is the time to hire a Butler, MO felony defense lawyer who knows how to fight. And won’t stop until you get the best possible outcome.
Breaking Down Missouri Felony Classes & Sentencing
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 Butler, MO is so important.
Class A Felony in Butler, MO
A Class A felony comes with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and can rise to 30 years or even life behind bars.
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.
Examples in Butler 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 Butler, MO
A Class B felony conviction carries a potential prison sentence of 5 to 15 years.
Class B felonies in Butler, MO are still considered extremely serious offenses and often stem from violent incidents, weapon-related conduct, home invasions, or emotionally charged situations. Even though the penalties are lower than Class A, prosecutors pursue these charges aggressively, and many convictions result in mandatory prison time.
Common 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 Butler, MO
A Class C felony in Butler, MO can result in up to 10 years in prison and fines as high as $10,000.
Class C felonies include a broad mix of offenses—ranging from lower-level violent incidents to property, financial, or certain sex-related crimes. Courts have more discretion with these charges, meaning probation or alternative sentencing is often possible. Early, strategic negotiation can make a substantial difference in how Class C charges are resolved.
Examples in Butler and across Missouri include:
- Involuntary manslaughter (RSMo. § 565.024)
- Theft (stealing over $750) (RSMo. § 570.030)
- Second-degree statutory rape (RSMo. § 566.034)
- Drug distribution or possession (felony-level amounts or prior offenses)
Class D Felony in Butler, MO
A Class D felony conviction can result in up to 7 years in prison and/or fines reaching $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 Butler, 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 Butler, 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 felonies are the least severe felony category in Butler, MO, 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 Butler, MO include:
- Criminal negligence (RSMo. § 562.016)
- Certain vehicle-related offenses, including DWI (RSMo. § 577.010), Leaving the Scene of an Accident (RSMo. § 577.060), Driving While Revoked (RSMo. § 302.321)
- Various lower-level drug or property offenses, depending on the specific facts
When you’re charged with a felony in Butler, 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 Acting Fast Matters When You’re Facing a Felony in Butler, MO
Butler, 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 felony defense lawyer in Butler, MO can:
- Protect your rights immediately
- Shape the narrative long before charges are finalized
- Stop you from accidentally incriminating yourself
- Secure crucial evidence before it’s lost or altered
- Challenge unconstitutional police conduct at every step
- Negotiate bond reduction or release conditions
- Investigate witness credibility and police conduct
Facing Butler, MO felony charges? When you select a Combs Waterkotte felony defense lawyer in or around Butler, MO, you’re not just partnering with a top-rated felony defense lawyer in and around Butler, MO – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with a knowledgeable felony defense lawyer, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Butler and beyond:
High-Impact Defense Tactics Our Felony Attorneys Use in Butler, MO
Felony accusations in Butler, MO require a defense that is sharp, tailored, and backed by real experience. At Combs Waterkotte, we don’t use cookie-cutter strategies—we build a custom plan around the facts of your case and the weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence:
1. Breaking Down the State’s Required Proof
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 look closely at how officers handled the stop, arrest, and search. If they crossed legal boundaries, we expose it. Any unconstitutional search may lead to the evidence being thrown out—and once evidence disappears, charges often do too.
3. Showing You Never Intended to Commit a Crime
Intent is a key element in many felony cases in Butler, MO. We challenge the prosecution’s narrative, highlight misunderstandings, and use facts—not assumptions—to undermine their theory of criminal intent.
4. Exposing Weak or Unreliable Evidence
We are armed with a multitude of resources, including a strong network of experts in Butler 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
- Contradictory or sloppy police documentation
- Statements obtained through pressure or fear
5. Strategic Negotiation Backed by Trial-Ready Preparation
Prosecutors negotiate differently with our Butler, MO felony defense lawyers because we’re fully prepared to go to trial.
A trial-ready defense often results in:
- Full dismissals
- Reduced charges
- Probation or alternative outcomes
- Treatment options instead of jail
- Deferred or delayed prosecution
Why Hire a Combs Waterkotte Felony Defense Lawyer in Butler, MO?
Choosing the right felony defense lawyer in Butler, MO can change the entire outcome of your case. You’re not just looking for someone to stand beside you in court—you need an advocate who understands what’s at stake and fights like your future depends on it.
Our Butler, MO attorneys are:
- Focused on your needs and your story
- Deeply knowledgeable about courts and prosecutors in the Butler, MO area
- Strategic, sharp, and aggressive in every phase of your defense
- Trained to manage high-pressure, high-stakes felony cases
- Focused on successful outcomes
Speak With a Combs Waterkotte Butler, MO Felony Defense Lawyer Today
No matter what level of felony you’re facing in Butler, MO, 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 Butler, MO felony defense lawyer. Your defense starts the moment you reach out.
