Kansas City, MO felony defense lawyer. A felony arrest in the Kansas City, MO area puts everything on the line, including your freedom, career, reputation, relationships, and even your financial and housing stability. Prosecutors act fast, the pressure is intense, and one early mistake can dramatically change the outcome of your case.
If you’re facing a felony charge in the Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO 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, 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 Kansas City and across Missouri.
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This article breaks down why hiring a knowledgeable felony defense lawyer in Kansas City, 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.
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The Serious Consequences of Felony Charges in Kansas City, MO
In Missouri, there’s a major difference between misdemeanors and felonies—and felony charges come with far higher stakes. Prosecutors in Kansas City, MO treat these cases as top priority, especially when they involve violence, weapons, drugs, or significant financial harm.
If you’re convicted of a felony in Kansas City, MO, you may face:
- Long-term or lengthy prison sentences
- Substantial fines
- A lifelong felony record
- Loss of gun rights
- Losing your right to vote
- Difficulty finding employment, housing, or loans
- Strict, high-risk probation
- 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, 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 Kansas City, MO is so important.
Class A Felony in Kansas City, 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 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.
Some of the most frequent examples we see in Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO
A Class B felony in Missouri comes with a prison range of 5 to 15 years if convicted.
Class B felonies in Kansas City, 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.
Some 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, 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City, 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 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, MO 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, MO
A Class E felony can bring up to 4 years in prison and fines as high as $10,000.
Class E felony charges may be the least serious felony type in Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO include:
- Criminal negligence (RSMo. § 562.016)
- Several driving-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, theft, or property cases where the circumstances elevate the charge
If you’re facing any felony charge in Kansas City, MO, 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, MO Felony Defense Lawyer — Fast
The first days after an arrest are critical in Kansas City, MO. 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.
When you hire a felony defense lawyer in Kansas City, MO from Combs Waterkotte, we can:
- Protect your rights immediately
- Shape the narrative long before charges are finalized
- Prevent you from making statements that can be used against you
- Locate and preserve evidence that supports your case
- Challenge illegal searches, traffic stops, or arrests
- Fight for reduced bond, recognizance release, or better conditions
- Investigate witness credibility and police conduct
Facing Kansas City, MO felony charges? When you select a Combs Waterkotte Kansas City, MO felony defense lawyer, you’re not simply partnering with a top-rated felony defense attorney in and around Kansas City, MO – you’re safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with an experienced felony defense lawyer, our legal team is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Kansas City and beyond:
- Traffic Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Federal Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
- Gun Charges Attorney
Powerful Defense Strategies Our Kansas City, MO Felony Defense Lawyers Use
No two felony cases in Kansas City, 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. Attacking the Elements of the Crime
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 Challenges
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. Exposing Weak or Nonexistent Intent
Intent is one of the most misunderstood parts of felony charges in Kansas City, MO. We work to show the full picture—context, circumstances, and behavior—to prove that the prosecution can’t establish the required intent.
4. Challenging Evidence That Doesn’t Hold Up
Our team leverages extensive resources and trusted expert networks in Kansas City and throughout Missouri to break down the prosecution’s case. We pinpoint every weakness, including:
- Questionable forensic work
- Missing chain-of-custody records
- Misidentifications or unreliable witnesses
- Contradictory or sloppy police documentation
- Statements obtained through pressure or fear
5. Negotiating From Strength, Not Fear
Prosecutors take our Kansas City, MO felony defense lawyers seriously because they know we prepare for trial from Day One.
A trial-ready defense often results in:
- Cases being dismissed
- Reduced charges
- Non-prison alternatives
- Treatment options instead of jail
- Deferred prosecution
Why Choose a Kansas City, MO Felony Defense Lawyer at Combs Waterkotte?
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 defense team is:
- Focused on your needs and your story
- Familiar with local Kansas City, MO courts and prosecutors
- Proactive, tactical, and relentless in our approach
- Experienced with serious charges and high stakes
- Committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you
Speak With a Combs Waterkotte Kansas City, MO Felony Defense Lawyer Today
No matter what level of felony you’re facing in Kansas City, 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.
Combs Waterkotte is ready to step in immediately with the aggressive strategy and seasoned defense you need. We don’t judge. We don’t waste time. We get to work. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free consultation with a Kansas City, MO felony defense lawyer. The sooner you act, the stronger your defense will be.
