Felony defense lawyer in Smithville, MO. When you’re charged with a felony in the Smithville, 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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO felony defense lawyer is built to do.
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 Smithville, 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.
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This article outlines why working with an experienced felony defense lawyer in Smithville, MO is essential when you’re facing serious criminal allegations. It explains the potential life-changing consequences of a felony conviction, reviews the types of cases commonly handled in the Smithville, MO area, and stresses the urgency of getting strong legal representation early. It also highlights key defense strategies used by Combs Waterkotte—such as challenging unlawful searches, exposing weak evidence, and leveraging trial-ready preparation—to show how choosing a skilled felony defense lawyer can be the difference between a harsh sentence and securing your future.
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How Serious Felony Charges Are in Smithville, MO
In Missouri, there’s a major difference between misdemeanors and felonies—and felony charges come with far higher stakes. Prosecutors in Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO, you may face:
- Years, even decades, in prison
- Substantial fines
- A permanent felony conviction on your record
- Losing your right to own a gun
- Loss of voting rights
- Barriers to jobs, housing, and financial opportunities
- Supervised probation with strict conditions
- Serious immigration consequences for noncitizens
This is not the moment to “see how things play out.” This is the moment to bring in a proven Smithville, MO felony defense lawyer who knows how to push back, protect your rights, and fight for your future.
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 Smithville, MO is so important.
Class A Felony in Smithville, 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.
Examples in Smithville 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 Smithville, MO
A Class B felony conviction carries a potential prison sentence of 5 to 15 years.
Class B felonies in Smithville, 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.
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 Smithville, 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 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 Smithville and anywhere else in 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 Smithville, MO
A Class D felony in Missouri can carry a sentence of up to 7 years behind bars and fines of 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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO include:
- Criminal negligence (RSMo. § 562.016)
- Certain vehicle-related offenses, such as 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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO Felony Defense Lawyer — Fast
Smithville, 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.
When you hire a felony defense lawyer in Smithville, MO from Combs Waterkotte, we can:
- Step in fast to guard your constitutional rights
- Build a strong defense BEFORE charges are formally filed
- Prevent you from making statements that can be used against you
- Locate and preserve evidence that supports your case
- Challenge unconstitutional police conduct at every step
- Negotiate bond reduction or release conditions
- Investigate witness credibility and police conduct
Facing Smithville, MO felony charges? When you choose a Combs Waterkotte felony defense lawyer in or around Smithville, MO, you aren’t only selecting a top-rated felony defense lawyer in Smithville, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to an experienced felony defense lawyer, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Smithville and beyond:
- Traffic Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
- Gun Charges Attorney
High-Impact Defense Tactics Our Felony Attorneys Use in Smithville, MO
Felony accusations in Smithville, 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. 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. Investigating Illegal Stops or Searches
We dig into whether police had the legal authority to stop you, detain you, or search you. When we uncover Fourth Amendment violations, the evidence they seized can often be thrown out—making the prosecution’s case collapse.
3. Challenging Intent
Intent is one of the most misunderstood parts of felony charges in Smithville, MO. We work to show the full picture—context, circumstances, and behavior—to prove that the prosecution can’t establish the required intent.
4. Exposing Weak or Unreliable Evidence
We are armed with a multitude of resources, including a strong network of experts in Smithville and across Missouri, which we use to investigate any relevant evidence. We expose the prosecution’s shortcomings. This includes:
- Questionable forensic work
- Evidence that wasn’t properly handled
- Misidentifications or unreliable witnesses
- Police reports that don’t match the facts
- Statements obtained through pressure or fear
5. Strategic Negotiation Backed by Trial-Ready Preparation
Prosecutors take our Smithville, MO felony defense lawyers seriously because they know we prepare for trial from Day One.
A truly trial-ready defense often means:
- Full dismissals
- Charge reductions
- Non-prison alternatives
- Treatment or rehabilitation options
- Deferred or diverted prosecution
Why Hire a Combs Waterkotte Felony Defense Lawyer in Smithville, MO?
Choosing the right felony defense lawyer in Smithville, 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 defense team is:
- Committed to YOU, not the system
- Deeply knowledgeable about courts and prosecutors in the Smithville, MO area
- Strategic, sharp, and aggressive in every phase of your defense
- Experienced with serious charges and high stakes
- Driven by results and client success
Call a Combs Waterkotte Smithville, MO Felony Defense Lawyer Right Now
Felony charges in Smithville, MO are life-altering. Whether the accusation involves violence, weapons, drugs, or a lower-level offense, you’re facing consequences that could follow you forever. You shouldn’t face that kind of pressure alone.
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 Smithville, MO felony defense lawyer. The sooner you act, the stronger your defense will be.
